Kanban vs Scrum
Both Kanban and Scrum are popular frameworks used to implement Agile software development. While they share the same goal—delivering better software faster—they take different approaches to managing work.
1. Scrum: Structure and Rhythm
Scrum is a structured framework that relies on a fixed cadence.
- Sprints: Work is broken down into fixed-length iterations (usually 2 weeks).
- Commitment: The team commits to a specific amount of work at the start of the sprint. Changes during the sprint are discouraged.
- Roles: Clearly defined roles (Product Owner, Scrum Master, Development Team).
- Ceremonies: Prescribed meetings (Planning, Daily Standup, Review, Retrospective).
Best for: Teams that need structure, predictability, and regular feedback loops.
2. Kanban: Flow and Flexibility
Kanban is a continuous flow method that emphasizes visualization and limiting work in progress.
- Continuous Flow: There are no fixed sprints. Work is pulled from the backlog as soon as capacity is available.
- WIP Limits: The core mechanic is limiting "Work In Progress" in each column to prevent bottlenecks.
- Change: Priorities can change at any time, as long as the work hasn't started yet.
- Roles: No prescribed roles; the team keeps their existing titles.
Best for: Teams with varying priorities (e.g., support/maintenance teams), or mature teams that want to optimize flow efficiency.
3. Key Differences Comparison
| Feature | Scrum | Kanban |
|---|---|---|
| Cadence | Fixed Sprints (e.g., 2 weeks) | Continuous Flow |
| Release Methodology | At the end of each sprint (typically) | Continuous Delivery (anytime) |
| Roles | Product Owner, Scrum Master, Team | No prescribed roles |
| Key Metric | Velocity (Story Points) | Cycle Time / Lead Time |
| Change Philosophy | No changes during sprint | Change allowed anytime (if capacity exists) |
| Board Reset | Board is cleared after every sprint | Board persists continuously |
4. Scrumban
Many teams use a hybrid approach called Scrumban.
- They might use Sprints (Scrum) but also use WIP limits (Kanban).
- They might have daily standups and retrospectives (Scrum) but release continuously (Kanban).