The Challenges of Combining Agile Frameworks for a Company-Wide Agile Delivery

Agile methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) have become essential for driving organisational success. However, in an effort to enhance flexibility and scalability, some companies attempt to merge multiple Agile frameworks into a single, company-wide Agile delivery framework. While this strategy may seem advantageous, it often results in unforeseen challenges and compromises. This article explores the drawbacks of combining Agile frameworks, along with potential benefits, risks, and best practices for maintaining stability.

Why Combining Agile Frameworks Isn’t Ideal

Agile frameworks are designed with core principles tailored to address specific challenges. For instance:

• Scrum emphasises team-level collaboration and iterative delivery.
• Kanban prioritises continuous workflow and process visualisation.
• SAFe and LeSS (Large-Scale Scrum) extend Agile principles across entire organisations.

Merging these frameworks can dilute their effectiveness due to conflicting practices, principles, and metrics, leading to several key issues:

• Misaligned Priorities: Teams may struggle to determine which framework’s guidelines to prioritise, causing confusion.
• Increased Complexity: Hybrid frameworks can become overly intricate, making adoption difficult.
• Loss of Focus: The strengths of individual frameworks may be diluted, leaving teams uncertain about their goals.

Potential Benefits of Combining Agile Frameworks

Although challenging, integrating multiple Agile frameworks may offer certain advantages in specific contexts:

1. Enhanced Flexibility: A hybrid approach allows for customised solutions that cater to different departments’ needs.
2. Improved Cross-Team Collaboration: Blended frameworks can bridge gaps between teams operating under distinct methodologies.
3. Comprehensive Coverage: Incorporating multiple practices may help address a broader range of organisational challenges.

Major Drawbacks of Combining Agile Frameworks

Despite potential benefits, there are significant downsides to merging Agile frameworks:

1. Inconsistency Across Teams: Disparate methodologies can make aligning objectives, metrics, and workflows difficult.
2. Added Complexity: Managing hybrid frameworks requires extensive coordination and expertise in multiple Agile approaches.
3. Dilution of Agile Principles: The need to manage hybrid structures may compromise Core Agile values, such as simplicity and focus.
4. Training and Adoption Challenges: Employees require additional training, and leadership must invest extra effort to foster alignment and buy-in.

Impact on Framework Stability

Implementing a blended Agile framework can negatively affect organisational stability in several ways:

1. Erosion of Predictability: Competing practices and priorities can make delivery timelines unpredictable.
2. Resistance to Change: Teams accustomed to a single framework may resist adopting a hybrid approach, leading to friction.
3. Creation of Operational Silos: Instead of fostering cohesion, hybrid frameworks might encourage teams to retreat into their preferred methodologies.
4. Limited Scalability: Scaling Agile practices becomes challenging when inconsistencies exist across teams and departments.

Best Practices for a Company-Wide Agile Framework

Rather than merging multiple Agile methodologies, companies should consider a more structured approach:

• Select a Core Framework: Choose one scalable framework, such as SAFe or LeSS, that aligns with organisational goals.
• Adapt Thoughtfully: Tailor specific practices to meet business needs while preserving core Agile principles.
• Invest in Training: Ensure employees deeply understand the chosen framework to enable effective implementation.
• Encourage Collaboration: Establish strong communication channels to maintain alignment and cohesion across teams.

While merging Agile frameworks may seem like a way to enhance adaptability, it often introduces unnecessary complexity and instability. Instead, organisations should focus on selecting and scaling a single Agile framework while thoughtfully tailoring it to their needs. By maintaining a clear and unified approach, companies can uphold Agile principles—collaboration, simplicity, and adaptability—leading to long-term success.