How Many Companies Use Scrum in 2025? (Key Usage Statistics)

Project management is essential to every business.

Whether you’re creating a new product, bringing an existing one to market, or simply wish to relocate your business, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing, every project needs to be managed.

This ensures that project goals are reached, timetables are adhered to, and even budget targets are met.

Traditionally, businesses have adopted a waterfall approach. This effectively divides a project into phases.

A specific team is assigned to each phase, they complete the work necessary for that phase and pass the product on.

The waterfall refers to the fact that the team have no further involvement in the project once their phase is completed.

Much the same as throwing something down a waterfall.

However, modern businesses are realizing there is a better approach, that’s referred to as Agile methodology.

With this approach the project is still separated into phases and teams are allocated to handle each phase.

However, liaison between the different teams is actively encouraged.

This means all teams are still involved and accountable for the project, even after they have completed their phase.

Adopting the Agile methodology means improved efficiency, a better work environment, higher profits, and a better overall product.

There are several frameworks which can be used when applying the Agile methodology, one of the most popular is Scrum.

The question is, how many companies use Scrum?

Key Statistics

• 66% of Agile businesses use the Scrum framework
• 86% of Agile users are in software development
• Teams using Scrum provide 250% better quality
• 78% of people using Scrum would recommend it to others
• Scrum can boost productivity by between 300-400%
• Scrum usage increased by 150% in one year
• 78% of Scrum users also use other Agile frameworks
• Scrum master is regarded as the top Agile certification
• The average Scrum project lasts 11.6 weeks
• 44% of teams struggle to transition from Waterfall to Scrum

Understanding Scrum

A scrum is a rugby term, referring to when both teams lock against each other and attempt to get the ball out of their side.

Scrums only work if the team cooperates with each other.

The same is true when using Scrum methodology.

Everyone involved in a project can reflect on the experience, find ways to improve on it, and help the team adapt and improve.

Scrum methodology will help create the best possible outcome for any project.

It’s commonly used by software development teams but it is an effective approach for any type of teamwork.

It should be noted, the Agile methodology is a philosophy, it’s a state of mind that should be encouraged to ensure the best possible value is delivered.

In contrast, Scrum is the framework.

It guides you through the process, giving you everything you need to analyze, improve, and modify a project to get the best possible results.

Scrum Statistics: How Many Companies Use Scrum?

1. 66% Of Agile Businesses Use The Scrum Framework

In order to use the Agile methodology you need a framework.

This defines the approaches you should take and considerations. There are plenty of popular frameworks.

Some, such as Extreme Programming, were very popular but have recently fallen out of favor.

Scrum is currently the most popular framework. It has become so popular that two-thirds of agile methodology followers are using the Scrum framework.

A further 9% are using Scrumban, a variant of Scrum. In addition, 6% of respondents use a Scrum hybrid option.

In other words, 81% of those using Agile methodology are using Scrum in one form or another.

(Parabol)

2. 86% Of Agile Users Are In Software Development

Agile methodology is proving to be a useful approach in all team-oriented processes.

However, there has been a significantly bigger take-up of Agile in software development than compared to other departments.

For example, on average, IT departments are seeing a 63% uptake, while 29% of operational departments are adopting Agile.

17% of both Marketing and Security departments are using the Agile approach, and 16% of HR departments.

Even finance and sales are seeing a 10% uptake of Agile methodology.

These percentages are likely to increase as this approach to project management becomes even more popular.

(Digital.ai)

3. Teams Using Scrum Provide 250% Better Quality

It can be hard to assess the quality of a team.

While the quality of the result is measurable, it’s difficult to assess whether one team is better than another.

CA Technologies assessed the performance, happiness, quality of the product, and loyalty of team members using the Agile system as compared to the more traditional waterfall approach.

Their findings showed that Agile teams offered a staggering 250% better quality result for all parties involved!

(CA Technologies)

4. 78% Of People Using Scrum Would Recommend It To Others

This statistic isn’t surprising considering the number of people using Scrum and its ongoing popularity.

However, it’s important to note that the majority of Scrum users have had such a positive experience that they feel it is worth recommending the framework to others.

That means just 22% of Scrum users wouldn’t recommend it, although this doesn’t attest to the reasons for the failure to recommend it.

It may simply be that the people involved don’t feel in a  position to recommend the framework to anyone.

The number of people happy to recommend Scrum is backed up by a further statistic, that 701% of businesses using Agile methodology feel they get their product to the market faster.

(Scrum Alliance)

5. Scrum Can Boost Productivity By Between 300-400%

Productivity is essential to the survival of any business.

The more productive a team is the less wastage and the better the bottom line.

A recent survey highlighted just how effective Scrum is at boosting productivity when compared to traditional project management approaches.

It found that productivity levels increased by between 300-400%.

That’s a huge increase, justifying the investment in the Scrum framework and ensuring the company performs better than expected.

These facts are backed up by The State of Agile report from 2018 which showed that 55% of businesses were embracing the Agile framework simply because it is known to increase productivity.

(Jeff Sutherland)

6. Scrum Usage Increased by 150% In One Year

The increased use of Scrum is a mixture of more businesses getting onboard with this approach and the downfall of previously popular frameworks, such as XP.

The result is shown in two surveys, one conducted in 2020, and the second in 2021. The survey showed that, in 2020, 40% of respondents used Scrum.

By 2021, 66% of respondents were reportedly using Scrum.

That’s a testimony to the quality of the product and why you should start using Scrum.

(Digital.ai)

7. 78% Of Scrum Users Also Use Other Agile Frameworks

Agile methodology is supposed to be flexible, which is why using more than one framework isn’t just acceptable, it’s encouraged.

This hybrid approach has proved to be very popular as 78% of people surveyed confirmed they use Scrum software in conjunction with other framework software.

16% of those surveyed stated they used Scrum and nothing else.

The survey spoke to over 2,000 professionals, specifically people already practicing Agile methodology.

It should be noted that approximately 80% of companies are using some sort of Agile methodology.

That suggests the State of Scrum survey is an accurate reflection of businesses as a whole.

(State Of Scrum 2017-2018)

8. ScrumMaster Is regarded As the Top Agile Certification

To effectively use the Scrum framework it’s recommended every team has at least one specialist in the software.

However, according to the State of Scrum report, 85% of people surveyed have already undertaken the ScrumMaster course and obtained the necessary certification.

That means the majority of Agile users believe ScrumMaster to be the best qualification available.

The course can be completed in-house or online, making it comparatively easy for any business to create its own Scrum expert.

(State Of Scrum 2017-2018)

9. The Average Scrum Project Lasts 11.6 Weeks

Scrum projects tend to be longer affairs. This is when this approach excels.

The more complicated and convoluted the production process the more advisable it is to have a good management system.

As the biggest share of Agile methodology users are in software development, it shouldn’t be surprising to find these projects are comparatively long-term.

After all, you caén’t usually develop new software overnight.

Scrum does speed the process up as it encourages interactions between team members, regardless of which stage of the production they are in.

The average Scrum project lasts over 11 weeks, making a framework and appropriate software invaluable.

Without it, the team may struggle to keep track of progress and maintain the pace of development.

(State Of Scrum 2017-2018)

10. 44% Of Teams Struggle To Transition From Waterfall To Scrum

One of the biggest issues for most teams is changing the way they operate.

Regardless of how forward-thinking people are, there will always be at least one team member that is reluctant to change the way things are currently done.

According to the State of Scrum report, nearly half of all teams (44%) struggle to change from a traditional waterfall method to the more productive and efficient Agile approach.

That’s why company-provided training is so important.

(State Of Scrum 2017-2018)

Why Scrum Is So Beneficial

Scrum teams tend to be small, which helps to keep them agile and allows everyone to voice their opinion.

However, for a Scrum team to be successful it’s considered advisable for all members to have the following attributes:

Commitment

Small teams mean that every member has an important role to play.

The others need to be able to rely on them. This only works if all members are committed to the success of the team.

It helps to ensure everyone takes on the tasks they can successfully complete and not take on too much.

Courage

It may sound strange but it can be difficult to challenge the way things have always been done.

Every team member needs the courage to be able to stand up and suggest the current method can be improved.

All team members should help to ensure the team environment encourages this courage.

Respect

Every member of a Scrum team needs to realize that all members are necessary to achieve the best possible results.

It helps to respect each person’s skills as this will help the team work together and get the best results.

Focus

If you’re undertaking a Scrum project then you probably have an amount of time allocated to the project.

To complete it in time, you and all team members need to be completely focused on the task at hand.

Openness

Finally, all Scrum teams need to be open, allowing anyone to talk at any time.

It can help to create a set of questions that each member asks themselves daily.

The answers to these questions help to keep the project on track and encourage people to talk with each other, if necessary.

Summing Up

It’s often easier to stick to what you know.

However, when you ask how many companies use Scrum and realize that the majority are using it in one form or another, it’s time to embrace the change.

Scrum is one of the most popular ways of integrating Agile methodology into any workplace.

It’s easy to adopt and effective.

The bottom line is simple, the waterfall approach is slowly disappearing, Agile project management is the future, you should embrace it today and get ahead of the competition.

Sources

Zippia	Parabol	GoRemotely
Atlassian	Adevait