Kanban vs. Scrum

What is Agile?

Agile methods are like a toolkit in project management. These methods are based on a cycle of repeated steps, focusing on teamwork, getting feedback, and quickly adapting to any changes. Some well-known Agile methods include Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP). They split projects into smaller parts called iterations or sprints, making it easier for teams to deliver results regularly. For businesses trying to keep up with changing tech and market trends, picking the right Agile method is crucial. 

Let’s explore the debate on Kanban vs. Scrum to see which is more suitable. 

What is Kanban in Agile?

Kanban is derived from the Japanese word for visual cards. It is a streamlined project management approach that prioritizes visual organization, efficient workflow, and ongoing refinement. The Kanban board visually showcases tasks as cards sorted into columns based on their progress stages. This board offers teams an immediate view of work progress, fostering clarity and team cohesion. An essential feature of this system is the work-in-progress (WIP) limit, which tracks the tasks at each stage. These limits help teams spot and address workflow issues, distribute tasks evenly, and maintain a steady task progression. Additionally, Kanban promotes continuous delivery, encouraging regular and swift value delivery to users without adhering to set time frames. Given its emphasis on adaptability and flow, Kanban is particularly suited for settings where priorities might change quickly.

Kanban benefits

Adaptable workflow in real time

Adaptability is key in Kanban. The methodology lets teams adjust effectively to new requirements or unexpected obstacles. Unlike some methods that fix tasks for specific durations, Kanban allows for real-time workflow modifications. This allows teams to tackle urgent tasks without the need for extensive reorganization.

Emphasis on regular refinement

The Kanban methodology emphasizes the principle of ongoing enhancement. Teams are motivated to review their operations from time to time. They identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments to boost efficiency. This cyclical evaluation ensures that processes are continually refined. In this manner, projects produce consistent performance upgrades.

Clear visualization of tasks and potential issues

Central to Kanban is its visual board. The board showcases all ongoing tasks from start to finish. Each task is represented by a card. The board position of the card denotes its progress stage. This clear visual layout aids in quickly spotting tasks that are on track and those facing obstacles, allowing teams to intervene where needed. This promotes a streamlined workflow.

What is Scrum in Agile?

Scrum is a common method used in project management. It organizes work into short phases called sprints. Each sprint usually lasts from two to four weeks. Here are the different types of sprints:

• Product backlog: It is completed before starting, and it ranks all tasks by importance.

• Sprint backlog: Once a sprint begins, tasks from this list are chosen and added to it. This sets the team’s goals for that period. 

• Daily stand-ups: These are daily meetings in which the team meets briefly to discuss what they’re doing and any challenges they might be facing.

• Sprint review: This marks the end of a sprint, and teams show their work.   

• Sprint retrospective: Teams discuss ways to improve their work. 

Scrum Benefits

The Scrum methodology offers several benefits, such as:

• Consistency through sprints 

• Regular reviews with stakeholders 

• Defined roles for streamlined operations 

Consistency through sprints

A sprint is a structured approach that provides teams with a steady rhythm for planning, executing, and evaluating tasks. A scrum master usually conducts a sprint, with each sprint’s defined time frame. This allows teams to strategize their goals and track their achievements. This facilitates teams in resource planning, making accurate timeline projections, and gives stakeholders a reliable time frame for the anticipated outcomes.

Regular review with stakeholders

A key principle of Scrum is open communication and collaboration. After each sprint, a sprint review takes place where teams present their accomplishments to the stakeholders and receive immediate feedback. By integrating this feedback at regular intervals, teams can refine their direction, ensuring the end product resonates with user requirements and business goals.

Defined roles for streamlined operations

The distinct roles within the Scrum framework have specific duties. The three main roles are as follows: 

• The product owner decides the product direction.

• The Scrum Master ensures smooth process flow and addresses challenges. 

• The development team collaborates to build the product.

This clear role division eliminates potential overlaps, promoting transparency in communication and accountability. 

Kanban vs. Scrum

Kanban and Scrum are both distinguished methodologies within the Agile framework. While both aim to enhance productivity and collaboration, the two possess distinct characteristics. Here are the key differences between Kanban and Scrum.

Agile methodologies: How to choose the right one for your tech team

Scrum is a structured Agile framework ideal for tech teams working on complex software projects. It operates through fixed-length iterations called sprints, typically lasting 2–4 weeks, during which SMART goals are set and completed. For example, a software development team building a new feature for a web application can benefit from scrum’s structured approach, allowing for regular feedback and adjustments. Scrum is particularly effective for tech teams that need to manage changing project requirements while maintaining a high level of communication and transparency across the different roles, such as scrum master, product owner, and other team members in a dev team.

Kanban is a flexible, flow-based Agile methodology that emphasizes visualizing work, limiting work in progress (WIP), and optimizing workflow, making it ideal for tech teams handling continuous tasks. Unlike scrum, Kanban does not operate in fixed-length iterations but focuses on continuous delivery, allowing teams to manage tasks as they are completed. For instance, a DevOps team responsible for maintaining and updating server infrastructure can use Kanban to efficiently handle dynamic priorities and ongoing tasks. By visualizing the workflow through Kanban boards, teams can quickly identify bottlenecks and streamline processes, enhancing efficiency and adaptability. Kanban is particularly suitable for small to medium-sized tech teams that benefit from a more fluid and responsive approach to managing tasks and dealing with changing priorities.

Final word

Within the Agile framework, Kanban and Scrum each provide unique benefits suited to various project requirements. Kanban prioritizes a visual process and flexibility, which is ideal for fast-paced settings. On the contrary, Scrum has structured sprints and defined roles that cater to projects by ensuring regularity and clear responsibilities. These agile methodologies focus on boosting efficiency and teamwork. Deciding which one to choose depends largely on the project size, team size, nature of work, client requirements, etc.