Is Shape Up an Agile Methodology?

February 13, 2024 Bob Stanke

Shape Up is not a strictly Agile methodology in the traditional sense; however, it shares many of the same principles, values, and goals that are commonly associated with Agile approaches to product development and project management. Shape Up is iterative and adaptable like Agile, but doesn’t have a lot of the formal components you would likely see in an Agile methodology.

In this blog post, I will give a brief overview of how Shape Up aligns with Agile, but should not be considered the same as Agile.

What is Shape Up?

Developed by Basecamp, Shape Up is a product development approach emphasizing shaping work into small, well-defined projects with fixed timeframes (usually six weeks). It focuses on autonomy, clear boundaries, and reducing the scope of work to increase a project's chance of success. For a comprehensive look at the Shape Up methodology, check out my blog post “The Shape Up Framework: An Overview of the Effective Product Development Methodology”.

How Shape Up Aligns with Agile

There are three main areas that I believe align Shape Up with Agile.

Iterative: Both the Shape Up and Agile frameworks prioritize the value of iterations in their respective processes. The defined six-week cycles in Shape Up provide ample time for adjustments and refinements to be made based on valuable feedback received throughout the development cycle, ensuring that the final product meets the needs and expectations of stakeholders.
Customer-focused: Both Shape Up and Agile approaches prioritize delivering value to the customer. In Shape Up, projects are carefully tailored and shaped with a clear understanding of customer needs, ensuring that the final deliverables meet or exceed their expectations.
Adaptability: The Shape Up methodology firmly recognizes that requirements in any project can be subject to change. In light of this understanding, it prioritizes the process of shaping solutions, as opposed to adhering strictly to a predetermined and inflexible plan.

Why Shape Up might not be considered purely Agile

No prescribed roles: The Shape Up methodology does things a bit differently by eschewing the traditional roles of Scrum Master and Product Owner commonly found in other Agile frameworks.
Less emphasis on daily rituals: Daily standups and backlog refinement, prevalent in Scrum, aren't core to Shape Up. (To learn more about how Shape Up and Scrum compare to each other, check out my blog post “Shape Up vs Scrum: A Clear and Detailed Comparison”)
Different approach to planning: Shape Up has a specific "betting table" concept for deciding which projects receive resources, contrasting with a typical Agile backlog.

In Summary

Shape Up is best viewed as a set of techniques and principles inspired by Agile values. It can be a powerful tool for teams looking for:

Increased focus: The fixed timeframes and emphasis on reducing scope facilitate focus within a project cycle.
Enhanced autonomy: Shape Up gives teams freedom to determine the best implementation approaches.
Risk management: Shaping helps define project boundaries, making risks more apparent and manageable.

Is Shape Up right for you?

If you're looking for a structured Agile framework with well-defined roles and processes, Scrum or Kanban might be better fits. However, if improving focus, adaptability, and clarity is your primary goal, Shape Up can be a valuable option.

BOB STANKE