Scrum and Extreme Programming (XP) are agile approaches that enable teams to produce higher-quality software sooner. Both emphasize iterative development but with different focus, practices, and flows. What follows is a brief comparison of Scrum vs. XP to assist you in making a decision on what works for your team.
What is Extreme Programming (XP)?
XP is a technical excellence and quality-focused Agile methodology through practices such as:
- Pair programming
- Test-driven development
- Continuous integration
- Regular releases
- Simple design and continuous refactoring
It is trying to provide small bits of finished software in short cycles (1-2 weeks) with strong customer engagement.
What is Scrum?
Scrum is a project management and team management Agile framework. Scrum breaks work into repetitive fixed-length cycles known as Sprints (typically 2-4 weeks), with fixed roles and ceremonies, including:
- Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team roles
- Sprint planning, daily standups, sprint review, and retrospectives
- Emphasize the development of a productive product increment every Sprint
Major Differences Between Scrum and XP
Area of Emphasis
XP: Engineering practices, code quality, and technical expertise.
Scrum: Project management, team members, and process framework.
Duration of Iteration
XP: Very brief iterations of approximately 1-2 weeks.
Scrum: Sprints are usually 2-4 weeks long.
Monitoring Tasks
XP: Monitors tasks with story cards.
Scrum: Monitors tasks with task boards and product backlogs.
Flexibility in Schedules
XP: Supports modification of timelines and priorities within iterations.
Scrum: Sprint scope and schedule is set; mid-sprint change cannot be accommodated.
Purpose of Each Iteration
XP: Tries to deliver quality, bug-free code.
Scrum: Tries to deliver a potentially shippable product increment.
Handling Priorities
XP: Strictly follows sequential prioritization.
Scrum: Customer assigns priorities to features, and the team implements that.
Engineering Practices
XP: Strongly mandates test-driven development, pair programming, continuous integration, refactoring, and coding standards.
Scrum: Does not specify any particular engineering practices but emphasizes self-organization.
Team Roles
XP: Less formal, emphasis on collaboration among programmers and testers and project managers.
Scrum: Well-defined roles (Product Owner, Scrum Master, Team).
Customer Involvement
XP: Continuous and active involvement of the customer throughout the whole development process.
Scrum: Involvement of the customer during Sprint review and prioritization of the backlog.
Difference Between Scrum and XP with Examples
Pair Programming: XP encourages two programmers to work on the same task simultaneously for higher quality, while Scrum does not have any coding practices defined.
Sprint Flexibility: In XP, priority and schedule may be changed halfway through an iteration; Scrum teams sign up for a set Sprint scope and duration.
Deliverables: XP releases tested and clean code regularly; Scrum releases working product features at the end of each Sprint.
XP vs Scrum vs Kanban
In addition to XP and Scrum, Kanban is yet another Agile technique with a workflow visualization focus and work-in-progress constraining in place of fixed iterations. It is an extension of Scrum and XP by maximizing task flow.
Which Method is For You?
Apply XP when you possess a small team dedicated to rapid coding and technical craftsmanship with high-release velocity.
Apply Scrum when you desire formal project management with limited roles, frequent planning, and long-term product roadmaps.
Why to Opt for the Best Scrum Training Institute in Hyderabad?
Practical training is needed to be a Scrum and XP expert. The best Scrum training institute in Hyderabad like HelloSM provides expert-training courses and certifications to enable you to grow into a professional Scrum Master or Agile expert. Reach out to HelloSM to know more and boost your Agile career.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the key difference between Scrum and XP?
Scrum addresses project management and teams, whereas XP addresses coding quality and discipline.
- Is Scrum compatible with XP?
Yes, teams have employed the framework of Scrum with the engineering practices of XP.
- For how long is an XP and Scrum iteration?
XP iterations are 1-2 weeks; Scrum Sprints are 2-4 weeks.
- Does Scrum enforce some coding practices?
No, Scrum does not enforce engineering practices.
- How much is the customer involved in each methodology?
XP demands constant customer involvement; Scrum engages the customer only at the planning and inspection stages.
- What is pair programming in XP?
Two developers sit together on a single machine to enhance quality and exchange knowledge.
- Which approach is more appropriate for frequent changes in requirements?
XP can tackle mid-iteration changes more effectively.
- Where do I get the best Scrum training Hyderabad?
HelloSM is one of the top-rated Scrum training providers in Hyderabad that provides certification training.