Kanban and Scrum : Which one is right for your team?

Kanban and Scrum are both popular agile project management methodologies that prioritize collaboration, flexibility, and continuous improvement. However, there are some key differences between these two approaches.

As a result, when choosing between Kanban and Scrum, people struggle with which one is right for their team.

Kanban vs. Scrum

Kanban is a visual system for managing work, with tasks represented by cards on a communal board. It divided the board into columns typically, each representing a different stage of the work process. When the job is done ,the cards move from left to right across the board, allowing team members to see the current status of the project at a glance.

The Kanban approach is a value stream-centric way of working. There is no concept of team in Kanban approach, and kanban boards are created in units of value streams . The unit using Kanban can be a team or multiple teams working together, depending on the scope of the value stream

The three roles, five events, and three artifacts in the Scrum process rules are designed and operated around teams. The unit of operation for Scrum is the individual Scrum team. Therefore, Scrum is a team-centric way of working

Scrum is a framework for managing and completing complex projects. It is based on the idea of regular, iterative cycles of work, called “sprints.” Each sprint has a specific goal, and at the end of the sprint, the team reviews its progress and plans for the next sprint.

The difference between Kanban and Scrum

One key difference between Kanban and Scrum is the level of flexibility they offer.

Kanban is a more flexible and adaptable method. It focuses on workflow visualization and allows teams to see the current status of their projects and then make changes. It is based on the principles of just-in-time production and continuous flow,  and is ideal for teams that require a high level of flexibility.

Scrum is a more prescriptive framework with clear roles and processes that teams must follow. It is also a more structured approach that focuses on delivering small increments of work, known as “sprints”. It is based on the principles of transparency, checking and coordination and is ideal for teams that need clear frameworks and responsibilities to achieve commitments and goals.

Summary

Finally, both Kanban and Scrum have their benefits and limitations, and teams should carefully consider their needs and goals before deciding which approach is right for them. If you are working on a complex project with many interdependent tasks, Scrum may be a good fit. If you need a more flexible approach to managing work, Kanban may be a better choice. It may also be helpful to try out both frameworks and see which one works better for your team.