Agile is not only a process, but a mindset. It earned its name in 2001 when 17 developers at Snowbird, Utah, drafted the Agile Manifesto, emphasizing adaptability over rigid processes—drawing from practices such as Scrum and Extreme Programming to represent “lightweight” flexibility over rigid, “heavyweight” documentation. Agile methodology prioritizes iterative development and rapid feedback to deliver value faster.
However, as organizations grew, a single Agile team wasn’t enough. Enter SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework). Launched in 2011 by Dean Leffingwell, the name describes its primary function: “scaling” Agile principles to work across hundreds or thousands of employees.
Where are they used?
- Agile: Dominates small-to-mid-sized tech startups and creative agencies where speed and pivot-ability are key.
- SAFe: Reportedly utilized by 70% of Fortune 100 companies, including giants like Lockheed Martin and PepsiCo, to synchronize complex dependencies across massive departments.
While Agile keeps teams nimble, SAFe provides the structural “guardrails” necessary for global enterprises to stay aligned without losing their competitive edge.
