At some level of abstraction, key elements of most frameworks and methodologies are fundamentally the same. Often, what makes them different is the order, emphasis, and combination of those key elements.

MSF does not claim to have a silver bullet that other frameworks lack. To the contrary, many aspects of other methodologies are compatible with an MSF approach. Each aspect of MSF is structured to be adapted to meet the needs of a given situation. Even though MSF can be adapted to be very similar to other methodologies, MSF provides a richness that goes beyond the others and fills the gaps of most methodologies. This ability to adapt MSF often presents itself as a quandary when compared to specific prescriptive methodologies. So, when you consider MSF, remember it is a framework that is intentionally presented as guidance with recommendations—not a cookbook, prescriptive methodology.