By the end of this Reading, you will be able to define various adaptive methodologies where the Scrum Master role is essential.

Scrum Masters serve in a number of adaptive methodologies to include Scrum. In some methodologies, a Scrum Master may be referred to as a Team Facilitator.

In a 2022 “State of Agile” report, Scrum or a hybrid of Scrum is used by 81% of all Agile or adaptive practitioners. However, there are other adaptive methods worth being aware of.

• Extreme Programming (XP): XP is a software development methodology intended to improve software quality and responsiveness to changing customer requirements. XP advocates frequent releases in short development cycles intended to improve productivity and introduce checkpoints at which new customer requirements can be adopted.

• Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe): Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a set of organization and workflow patterns intended to guide enterprises in scaling Lean and Agile practices. SAFe is one of a growing number of frameworks that seek to address the problems encountered when scaling beyond a single team.

• Kanban: Kanban is a methodology that uses many Scrum methods. Requirements are placed on a Kanban board and flow across the board from start to finish until completed. Each requirement begins in the Backlog or “To Do” column. When work begins, the requirement moves to “In-Progress.” When the requirement is completed, it moves across the board to “Peer Review,” “In Test,” and ultimately, “Done.” If a requirement is blocked, it is placed on the Kanban board accordingly until the blocker is resolved. A key feature of Kanban is “Work in Progress” limitations. There can only be so many requirements in each category on the Kanban board. This ensures that work is evenly distributed and that the team has adequate capacity to complete each requirement during each column or phase.

• Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM): An Agile project delivery framework initially used as a software development method. It features an iterative and incremental approach and prioritizes deliveries.

• Crystal: The Crystal Agile methodology is an agile framework which puts focus on the interaction among individuals rather than on the processes and tools used. It empowers teams to find their own solutions to problems instead of being confined by rigid methodologies of performing tasks. Crystal was derived from values stated in the original Agile Manifesto.

• Lean Software Development: Lean Software Development (LSD) is an Agile framework based on optimizing development time and resources, eliminating waste, and ultimately delivering only what the product needs. Lean methodology was originally created by Toyota Corporation.