Agile or scrum? How to manage projects

Project management in IT contexts should involve an awareness of how to choose the best possible management method and how it influences the broader context. Most of the time, we deal with complex projects that require the support of specialists with years of experience under their belts. Are you planning to launch new features in your app, or maybe you want to go all-in on automating your website? First, you should consider which management method to use: Agile or Scrum? Adjust your approach based on the nature of your project, team, and business goals—and then reap the benefits.

Agile or Scrum: What Are the Differences?

Agile is a project management philosophy with flexibility, agility, and iterative product work at its core. Agile works based on four fundamental values: open communication, collaboration, adaptability, and mutual trust between team members.

It’s a broad approach that can take on many forms, such as Scrum, Kanban, or Extreme Programming (XP). Read more about planning projects in our other article: How to Effectively Plan an IT Strategy for Your Company

By contrast, Scrum is a framework, or, in other words, a method of operation that falls within the Agile umbrella. Therefore, its definition is narrower. Scrum operates by dividing work into sprints—regular meetings (like daily stand-ups) and clearly defined roles. It’s where we get such frequently used terms like Product Owner or Scrum Master. Scrum is great at organizing tasks. Its structured operation framework makes it easier to keep projects on track, establish clear priorities, and divide responsibilities. This works perfectly in teams working on complex projects—particularly in IT. Our specialists with over 10 years of experience know how to utilize the advantages of both solutions.

Scrum or Agile? Pros and Cons: No Method Is Perfect

Every methodology has its strengths and weaknesses. Agile provides enormous flexibility and allows quick response to changes, but it can be challenging in organizations that prefer more structured processes because it doesn’t provide direct work tools. Scrum, on the other hand, provides structure, but its effectiveness depends on team discipline and the Scrum Master’s experience. That’s why at j‑labs, we approach each project individually. Our specialists have learned many methodologies over years of work, so they excel at adapting to client needs. See the results in our case studies.

People and Flexibility: The Foundations of the J-labs Approach

At j‑labs, the success of each project depends on the people behind it—our experts with many years of experience who understand that client needs change dynamically. Our teams offer support in team augmentation, agile software development, and enterprise software solutions. You can also turn to our experts for consultations at the initial project stage. We hire specialists not only considering their technical skills but also their soft skills because we know this is key to fit into the client’s project structure. 

Thanks to this, j‑labs developers easily adapt to the specific work environment of each organization and the challenges related to working on a given project. The flexibility and support of an experienced partner like j‑labs proves invaluable. Our processes are designed to meet the requirements of even the most demanding industries, such as fintech.

Working on IT Projects in Agile or Scrum

Between Agile and Scrum, working on IT projects differs primarily in structure and the degree of flexibility. Agile doesn’t impose a specific way of working, so teams can choose their own tools and processes, adapting them to project needs. There’s no predetermined iteration length, and meetings and roles are loosely arranged. And, since Scrum is a specific framework, it introduces strictly defined rules, roles, and events. Work takes place in fixed sprints (e.g., 2 weeks long), and each sprint has a clearly defined structure—from planning through daily meetings (Daily Scrum) to sprint review and conclusions. Scrum requires roles such as Scrum Master to be present. Each person has clearly defined responsibilities. 

If you want to work with us using Agile or Scrum methodology, our experienced senior specialists will seamlessly integrate into the project and offer both organizational (project management) and substantive support (experienced IT specialists).

Agile or Scrum? The Decision Is Yours – We Provide the Support

There’s no universal answer to the question of whether to choose Agile or Scrum. A good decision should be based on the idea of matching the solution to the specific situation and team capabilities. At j‑labs, we support our clients at every stage—from planning to implementation—to deliver tailored solutions. Let our flexibility, quality, and professionalism become the foundation of your project’s stability. Regardless of whether you choose Agile or Scrum, your project will be in good hands.