Scrum vs Kanban — some differences

Hello and welcome to my blog on the differences between Scrum and Kanban. Both Scrum and Kanban are popular agile methodologies used in project management, but they have some distinct differences that set them apart. In this blog, I’ll explore those differences and help you choose the right methodology for your project.

What is Scrum?

Scrum is an agile methodology that focuses on iterative development, in which the project is divided into small, manageable chunks called sprints. Each sprint is typically two to four weeks long and includes planning, execution, review, and retrospective phases. Scrum is based on three roles: Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team.

What is Kanban?

Kanban is also an agile methodology that focuses on continuous delivery, in which work is pulled through the system rather than being pushed. In Kanban, the work is visualized on a board and limited by work-in-progress (WIP) limits. The goal of Kanban is to optimize flow and minimize lead time.

Major differences between Scrum and Kanban

• Planning: Scrum has a structured planning phase at the beginning of each sprint, where the team decides what to work on and how to do it. Kanban, on the other hand, has a continuous planning process where new work is added to the board as capacity becomes available.
• Iterations: Scrum has fixed iterations called sprints, while Kanban has no fixed iterations and work is continuously delivered.
• Roles: Scrum has three roles, Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team, while Kanban has no specific roles, the team may have a facilitator who helps with the process.
• Work-in-Progress: Kanban uses WIP limits to control the amount of work in progress at any given time, while Scrum does not have a specific WIP limit.
• Change management: Scrum has a change management process that involves changing the sprint backlog during the sprint, while Kanban has a continuous flow that allows for changes to be made at any time.
• Metrics: Scrum uses metrics like velocity and burn-down charts to measure progress, while Kanban uses metrics like cycle time and lead time.

Which one to choose?

The choice between Scrum and Kanban depends on the project and the team. If the project has a fixed deadline and the team can work in fixed iterations, then Scrum might be the better choice. If the project is more flexible and the team prefers continuous delivery, then Kanban might be the better choice.

As a final point, both Scrum and Kanban are effective agile methodologies for project management, but they have some distinct differences. Understanding these differences is essential to choosing the right methodology for your project. Hopefully, this blog has provided some insight into these differences and will help you make an informed decision.