Ah, Agile. The beloved darling of the software world, the buzzword of the last decade promising to solve all your problems, and the framework that transformed how teams build products, ship features, and, let’s be real, hold way too many standups.  

You’d think with Agile being so widely adopted (71% of companies use it in their SDLC), it would be the ultimate solution, right? But here’s the kicker: 42% of companies don’t just use Agile—they mix it with hybrid models. And for large enterprises, the challenges are even bigger. While 52% of smaller companies find Agile effective, only 43% of enterprises feel the same. Why could this be the case? Resistance to change, leadership gaps, and internal silos slowing everything down… the possibilities are endless.

So… does this mean that Agile is failing? Or is something else at play? 🤔

Let’s dig in.

The Agile Frustration: It’s Not You, It’s the Scale

In theory, Agile works beautifully. But as organizations scale, reality gets … complicated. When large enterprises, government institutions, and massive corporate manufacturers say that they want agility— what they often mean is they want predictability, governance, and structured decision-making.

The “move fast and break things” approach can quickly start to feel less like innovation and more like chaos. So how do you strike a balance? Adopting Agile brings rapid change, but at the same time, the business demands roadmaps, executives want firm commitments, and your Agile coach is still preaching velocity like it’s the holy grail. Navigating these competing priorities is where the real challenge—and opportunity—lies.

This is where hybrid models try to come in—blending Agile with frameworks like Waterfall, SAFe, or DevOps. Some see it as Agile falling short, but in reality, it’s just evolution—adapting Agile to fit your organization's unique needs.  

Hybrid vs. Dual Models: The Distinction

Quick quiz: What’s the difference between hybrid and dual models? (Hint: one is like a smoothie, the other is like a bento box.)

• Hybrid Models- Mixing methodologies into one approach (think SAFe or some unholy mashup of Agile and Waterfall). It’s like blending a steak into a smoothie—technically possible but doesn’t taste great and is probably a little chunky.

• Dual Models- Keeping different methodologies separate for different needs. Think of a bento box—you get sushi and tempura, but they don’t touch. It’s structured, intentional, and respects the strengths of each approach.  

Key takeaway: Don’t just Frankenstein your processes together. Instead, build separate but seamless dual models, where Agile works alongside structured methodologies, each serving its own purpose.

Here’s a real-world example of dual models in action: A government IT agency used a dual model were Agile handled innovation, while a structured governance framework managed compliance. The result? Faster releases without regulatory nightmares.

Common Scenarios Where Agile Falls Short

So, we’ve accepted that Agile is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and that’s okay. But when does Agile actually not do enough? Here are some classic scenarios:

1. Regulated Industries – Compliance and governance require strict documentation - Agile alone won’t cut it. Compliance teams and auditors will not be impressed by your Jira board.

2. Hardware Development ️ – You can’t just “iterate” and A/B test a car engine or “fail fast” with a rocket launch. Some things actually have to work the first time.

3. Multi-Year Budgeting – Show me a member of your Finance team who reacts well when told "let's iterate on next year's budget and just see where the sprints take us" and I'll willingly cuddle with a hungry bear. Finance teams need numbers, not a burndown chart.

4. Cross-Functional Dependencies – When Agile meets corporate bureaucracy, you don’t get collaboration—you get a turf war. If your product spans multiple departments, Agile alone can create silos instead of breaking them down. Suddenly, your “self-organizing teams” are organizing ways to avoid each other.  

How to We Make Dual Models Work? (without the chaos…)

So how do you navigate the messy reality beyond Agile while keeping your agility intact? Here are three golden rules that we suggest you follow:

Rule #1: Avoid Hybrid Traps – Mashing methodologies together like a bad buffet plate won’t work. Keep them distinct, intentional, and aligned to actual business needs (not just because someone read a LinkedIn post about SAFe or watched a YouTube video about the benefits of AI).

Rule #2: Watch the Power Dynamics – When dual models exist, don’t let Agile teams become the middle child you forget to pick up from soccer practice. Balance matters—because Agile teams should be treated as equal partners, not secondary players.

Rule #3: Agile-First Thinking – Even when Agile isn’t the primary method, keep its principles at the core: customer focus, iteration, and collaboration – these principles aren’t just Agile things—they’re just good business things.

Final Takeaway: Agile Isn’t Enough, and That’s OKAY

If you’ve ever felt frustrated with Agile, you’re not alone. But that doesn’t mean you should binit altogether. Instead, focus on integrating Agile as a vital piece of a broader strategy. Embrace dual models where Agile is a key player—not the only player. Success in today’s fast-paced world isn’t about rigidly sticking to one method and then dying on that hill—learn how to take a step back and see the bigger picture to strategically combine the right approaches to the right challenges. So, next time someone asks, “Is Agile enough?” just smile and say: "On its own? Not always – it’s like GPS with no signal—good luck. But in the right system? You’ll definitely get where you need to go.".