Project delivery has always been a source of debate: agile vs. waterfall, Scrum vs. Kanban, PRINCE2 vs. AgilePM. But in 2025, the reality is simpler: hybrid is here to stay.
Organisations want the flexibility of agile delivery, but they also need the structure and governance of project management frameworks. This is where a hybrid approach becomes paramount.
Hybrid delivery can unlock huge benefits, but it works best when applied intentionally. Done well, it brings the best of both worlds. It combines the autonomy and adaptability of Scrum with the clarity, accountability, and control of PRINCE2 Agile. Poorly done, it risks creating bureaucracy without focus, or agile theatre without outcomes.
Why hybrid?
In today’s organisations, few projects sit neatly in one camp. Teams are expected to:
- Deliver value incrementally to customers
- Manage risks and compliance in regulated industries
- Align to strategic goals while adapting to change
- Balance speed with traceability
With all these expectations, having a single framework can feel limiting. For example, pure Scrum may feel too lightweight for senior stakeholders who need visibility and governance, while pure PRINCE2 can feel too rigid for teams delivering in sprints. The hybrid approach bridges this gap.
The strengths of Scrum
Scrum remains the most widely adopted agile framework in 2025 because it’s simple, adaptable, and team-focused. Its strengths include:
- Transparency through artefacts like product backlogs and sprint reviews
- Collaboration via cross-functional teams and daily stand-ups
- Adaptability with short sprint cycles that respond quickly to change
- Value delivery by prioritising customer needs first
Where Scrum shines is at the team delivery level; however, it doesn’t provide much guidance on project governance, reporting to executives, or aligning with organisational strategy.
The strengths of PRINCE2 Agile
PRINCE2 Agile combines the established project management methodology with agile delivery concepts. Its strengths include:
- Governance and structure with clear roles, stages, and tolerances
- Business case focus to ensure projects stay aligned with strategic goals
- Flexibility to incorporate agile frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, or Lean
- Tailoring guidance to scale agile approaches in large or complex environments
PRINCE2 Agile excels at the project level, ensuring stakeholders have visibility, risks are managed, and benefits are tracked. But on its own, it can feel heavy for day-to-day delivery teams.
When to blend Scrum with PRINCE2 Agile
A hybrid model is most effective in contexts where both adaptability and accountability are required. Here are five scenarios where the combination shines:
Regulated or high-risk environments
If you’re delivering software in financial services, healthcare, or government, compliance and auditability are non-negotiable. Scrum alone usually doesn’t cover these governance needs.
By layering PRINCE2 Agile over Scrum, you keep sprint-level agility while ensuring every increment aligns with risk management and regulatory requirements.
Large, multi-team projects
When you’re coordinating multiple Scrum teams across a major initiative, governance becomes essential. PRINCE2 Agile provides the structure to align teams, manage dependencies, and keep the big picture in focus, while Scrum keeps teams productive at the coalface.
Executive stakeholder visibility
Scrum artefacts, such as burndown charts, are great for teams but often mean little to executives. PRINCE2 Agile adds the reporting, business case tracking, and milestone reviews that senior leaders need, without forcing teams to abandon agile practices.
Long-term programmes
Scrum thrives on adaptability, but long-running initiatives typically require formal checkpoints to ensure that investment remains justified. PRINCE2 Agile’s stage boundaries create natural opportunities to pause, review, and revalidate business cases, while Scrum teams continue delivering value sprint by sprint.
When agile alone feels vague
Some organisations struggle with agile adoption because they crave more clarity around roles, responsibilities, and escalation paths. PRINCE2 Agile can provide the governance scaffolding, while Scrum provides the cultural shift towards collaboration and a focus on delivery.
How hybrid delivery works
So, how do Scrum and PRINCE2 Agile actually come together? Think of it as different layers of focus:
Scrum = Delivery
Teams work in sprints, refine backlogs, hold retrospectives, and release increments of value.
PRINCE2 Agile = Governance
Projects have defined roles (Sponsor, Project Manager, Business Change Authority), business justification, risk logs, and regular stage reviews.
Together, they create a delivery model where Scrum teams focus on how to deliver and PRINCE2 Agile provides oversight on why and whether to deliver.
Scrum vs PRINCE2 Agile comparison
Aspect | Scrum (Delivery) | PRINCE2 Agile (Governance) | Hybrid Delivery |
Purpose | Deliver value iteratively and incrementally | Provide governance, control, and business justification | Balance the adaptability of delivery with governance and strategy |
Focus | Team delivery | Project/programme governance | Team and project alignment |
Planning | Sprint planning (1–4 weeks) | Stage planning (months or phases) | Sprints feed into stage reviews and highlight reports |
Artefacts | Product backlog, sprint backlog, increment | Business case, risk log, stage plan, highlight report | Combined dashboards. Delivery metrics and business case tracking |
Strengths | Adaptability, transparency, collaboration | Governance, risk management, alignment to strategy | Visibility at all levels, faster value delivery with accountability |
Limitations | Weak on governance and strategic oversight | Can feel heavy and rigid if not tailored | Risk of duplication or overhead if not integrated thoughtfully |
Best fit | Small, cross-functional teams delivering features | Complex, high-risk, or regulated projects | Large initiatives, regulated environments, or when executives need visibility but teams need agility |
Hybrid in 2025 and beyond
The rise of hybrid delivery reflects a broader truth: organisations don’t need methodology, they need practical ways to balance agility and accountability.
In 2025, successful hybrids will leverage aspects such as automation with integrated tools for reporting, compliance, and quality monitoring, as well as reduce overhead and utilise AI, where predictive analytics can assess delivery risks and outcomes.
The future isn’t Scrum or PRINCE2 Agile. Instead, it’s knowing when to use both and combining them wisely. When done with intention, hybrid delivery turns governance into an enabler, not a blocker, and agility into a strategic advantage.
Feel ready for hybrid delivery with TSG Training. Explore our Agile and PRINCE2 courses.
