• Sugeetha Avvaru
• Dr. Shakeb Khan

Agile and the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) are two widely adopted methodologies in software development, each offering distinct approaches to managing complex projects. Agile, rooted in the Agile Manifesto, emphasizes iterative development, flexibility, and customer collaboration. It is well-suited for small, self-organizing teams that prioritize adaptive planning and quick delivery. In contrast, SAFe is a more structured framework designed to scale Agile practices to large, enterprise-level organizations. It incorporates principles from Agile, Lean, and product development flow, aiming to align teams and departments towards common goals while maintaining the flexibility of Agile at the team level. This paper presents a comparative analysis of Agile and SAFe, highlighting their core principles, benefits, and challenges. It examines how Agile promotes rapid innovation through continuous feedback loops and self-organizing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration. SAFe, however, focuses on providing a scalable structure that ensures synchronization across multiple teams, departments, and stakeholders, emphasizing strategic alignment, governance, and value delivery at an organizational level. The paper also explores practical scenarios where each methodology is most applicable, providing insights into their strengths and weaknesses in different organizational contexts. Ultimately, while both Agile and SAFe aim to improve productivity, responsiveness, and value delivery, their suitability varies depending on the size and complexity of the organization. Understanding the nuances of each approach allows leaders to choose the most appropriate framework based on their specific needs and goals.

Agile methodology, SAFe, Scaled Agile Framework, software development, iterative development, enterprise-level organizations, Lean principles, value delivery, organizational alignment, scalability, team collaboration, continuous feedback.

"Agile and SAFe: A Comparative Analysis", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no.b280-b300, February-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502128.pdf

"Agile and SAFe: A Comparative Analysis", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no. ppb280-b300, February-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502128.pdf