Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Large-Scale Scrum (LeSS), and Nexus are three popular scaled agile frameworks used by organizations to implement agile at scale. Each framework has its own set of practices and principles, and choosing the right framework depends on the specific needs and context of the organization. In this post, we will compare SAFe, LeSS, and Nexus.
SAFe: The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a comprehensive and prescriptive framework that provides guidance on how to scale agile across the organization. SAFe provides a structured approach to agile that is based on three levels of planning: portfolio, program, and team. SAFe emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and value delivery.
SAFe has a set of practices and roles, including:
- Agile Release Train (ART): a team of cross-functional teams that work together to deliver a value stream
- Program Increment (PI) Planning: a regular cadence of planning and alignment across the ART
- Product Management: a role responsible for defining the product vision and roadmap
- Release Management: a role responsible for coordinating the release of the product
LeSS: Large-Scale Scrum (LeSS) is an agile framework that builds on the principles of Scrum and adapts them for large organizations. LeSS emphasizes simplicity and provides a lightweight approach to scaling agile. LeSS is based on the following principles: empirical process control, lean thinking, and systems thinking.
LeSS has a set of practices and roles, including:
- Product Owner: responsible for defining the product vision and backlog
- Scrum Master: responsible for facilitating the Scrum process
- Area Product Owner: responsible for coordinating the backlog of a specific area of the product
- Overall Retrospective: a regular cadence of retrospectives that involve all teams in the organization
Nexus: Nexus is an agile framework that is designed to scale Scrum to large organizations. Nexus is based on the principles of Scrum and provides a lightweight approach to scaling agile. Nexus emphasizes cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement.
Nexus has a set of practices and roles, including:
- Nexus Integration Team: a team responsible for ensuring that the work of multiple Scrum teams is integrated and delivered as a cohesive product increment
- Nexus Sprint Planning: a regular cadence of planning and alignment across multiple Scrum teams
- Nexus Daily Scrum: a daily stand-up that involves representatives from each Scrum team
- Nexus Sprint Review: a regular cadence of reviewing the product increment across multiple Scrum teams
SAFe, LeSS, and Nexus are all popular scaled agile frameworks that provide guidance on how to implement agile at scale. SAFe is comprehensive and prescriptive, LeSS is lightweight and simple, and Nexus is based on Scrum and emphasizes cross-functional collaboration. Choosing the right framework depends on the specific needs and context of the organization. Adopting should be treated as an agile process in itself. An increment adopt, review, adjust approach allows an organisation to incrementally adopt a process/frameworks guiding principles at a pace of their choosing and by reflecting on the adoption at regular intervals to allow adjustments where required.