🚩 10 Agile Scaling Frameworks You Need to Know

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Hi Everyone,

Agile works great for small teams—but what happens when your organization grows, and projects get bigger? That’s where Agile scaling frameworks come in.

Scaling Agile isn’t about forcing small-team practices onto large groups—it’s about finding ways to keep teams aligned, nimble, and productive as you grow.

Here are 10 Agile scaling frameworks to know, and how you can start applying them:

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1. Scrum of Scrums (SoS)
Ideal for small teams working together on a larger project.

• What to do now: Identify a representative from each Scrum team to attend a weekly “Scrum of Scrums” meeting. Use this session to address cross-team dependencies and risks.

• Pro tip: Use a shared dashboard to track progress across teams and highlight blockers.

2. Large-Scale Scrum (LeSS)
Streamlined scaling for organizations using Scrum.

• What to do now: Combine all team backlogs into a single prioritized product backlog. Assign one Product Owner to manage it.

• Pro tip: Use sprint reviews with all teams present to ensure alignment and transparency.

3. Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
Built for enterprises managing complex, multi-department projects.

• What to do now: Create Agile Release Trains (ARTs) to align multiple teams on a shared vision and cadence. Plan Program Increments (PI) every 8-12 weeks.

• Pro tip: Use SAFe’s PI Planning sessions to align on objectives and dependencies at the start of each increment.

4. Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD)
A flexible, hybrid framework for organizations needing more customization.

• What to do now: Evaluate your current processes and identify areas where Agile, Lean, or traditional approaches work best. Apply DAD’s goal-driven practices to those areas.

• Pro tip: Focus on “fit-for-purpose” delivery—tailor your approach to what the project needs most.

5. Nexus
A structured way to scale Scrum for up to nine teams.

• What to do now: Form a Nexus Integration Team to oversee dependencies and integration across Scrum teams. Use the Nexus Sprint Backlog to track cross-team activities.

• Pro tip: Conduct regular cross-team refinement sessions to address integration challenges.

6. Spotify Model
Designed to promote autonomy, innovation, and collaboration.

• What to do now: Organize your teams into “squads” (self-contained teams) and group them into “tribes” (related squads). Use guilds to share knowledge across tribes.

• Pro tip: Encourage squads to own their workflows and align through quarterly tribe meetings.

7. Enterprise Kanban (EK)
Best for visualizing workflows and improving efficiency across teams.

• What to do now: Set up a high-level Kanban board to map workflows and identify bottlenecks. Define Work-In-Progress (WIP) limits for each stage.

• Pro tip: Use metrics like cycle time and throughput to continuously optimize processes.

8. Agile Portfolio Management (APM)
Focuses on aligning projects with business strategy.

• What to do now: Rank portfolio initiatives by value and feasibility. Use Agile techniques like story points to estimate effort.

• Pro tip: Conduct regular portfolio reviews to reprioritize based on changing business needs.

9. DevOps and Agile Integration
Marries Agile’s iterative processes with DevOps automation.

• What to do now: Integrate Agile ceremonies with CI/CD pipelines—e.g., incorporate sprint reviews into deployment planning.

• Pro tip: Automate testing and deployment processes to shorten feedback loops and improve delivery speed.

10. Hybrid Agile Frameworks
Customizable approaches combining Agile, Lean, and traditional methods.

• What to do now: Identify which frameworks solve specific challenges (e.g., Kanban for workflow visibility, Scrum for sprint planning). Combine practices to suit your team’s needs.

• Pro tip: Test hybrid approaches in pilot projects before scaling them across the organization.

Key Takeaways You Can Use Now:

• Pick a framework that aligns with your team’s size and goals.

• Start small—try Nexus for a few teams or Kanban for workflow visualization.

• Focus on collaboration, reducing dependencies, and continuous improvement.

Scaling Agile requires experimentation and iteration. With these frameworks, you’re equipped to grow without losing your edge.

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