Mixing agile approaches is the process of combining different agile methods or frameworks to fit the goals and circumstances of a project or organisation. This method takes into account that different agile methods have their own pros and cons and that a “one-size-fits-all” method may not work in all cases. Here are some of the most popular ways to mix agile methods:
1. Hybrid Agile:
This method takes parts from different agile approaches, like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean, to make a framework that fits the goals of the project. For example, a team might use Scrum to plan a project and run a sprint, while also using Kanban boards to keep track of tasks visually and Lean concepts to cut down on waste.
2. Scrumban:
Scrumban is a method that combines Scrum and Kanban. It uses the iterative and time-boxed style of Scrum and adds Kanban’s focus on flow and continuous improvement. Scrumban is often used when a team wants to switch from Scrum to Kanban or when they want to add Kanban practises to their Scrum system.
3. Agile with Waterfall:
In some situations, organisations may have to use both agile and waterfall methods because of different limitations or contractual responsibilities.
– In this method, the project may use agile principles for some stages or deliverables and a waterfall method for others.
– For instance, the needs gathering and design phases may use a waterfall model, while the development and testing phases may use an agile model.
4. Agile Scaling:
You can use agile scaling frameworks like Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), big-Scale Scrum (LeSS), or Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD) when working on big projects or with multiple teams. These models show how to coordinate and align multiple agile teams while making sure they work together and are in sync.
5. Agile with DevOps:
Combining agile practises with DevOps concepts makes it possible for development and operations teams to work together without any problems. This encourages continuous integration, delivery, and deployment. DevOps practises, such as automated testing, continuous integration, and continuous release, can be added to agile methods like Scrum or Kanban.
It’s important to keep the core principles and ideals of agile, like iterative development, collaboration with customers, and flexibility.
The exact mix of agile methods should be chosen based on the needs of the project, the way the team works, and the organization’s situation.
