Scrum vs. Kanban: Which Project Management Framework Should You Use for Agile Development?

Agile development methodologies have gained immense popularity in recent years. It's no wonder that companies all over the world are trying to adopt these Agile approaches to improve their workflow and become more efficient. Among some of the most popular Agile frameworks, Scrum and Kanban are leading the way. But, what’s the difference between them, and which one will work best for your organization? Let's find out.

Scrum

Scrum is an Agile methodology that uses a sprint-based approach to project management. Each sprint typically lasts between two to four weeks and begins with planning meetings, followed by daily stand-up meetings in which each team member updates the team on their progress. At the end of each sprint, the team holds a sprint review meeting to discuss what they’ve accomplished and what needs improvement. Additionally, a retrospective meeting is conducted to identify areas of improvement for future sprints.

Advantages of Scrum

• Highly effective in product development where change is constant and is beneficial when the team members have enough technical expertise.
• Highly accessible to independent developers, organizations and teams.
• Offers daily communication and avoids hierarchies.
• Improves transparency with updates from team members regarding progress and issues.

Disadvantages of Scrum

• Requires up-front planning before starting the sprint.
• Focuses primarily on individual tasks over team-oriented ones.
• Limits flexibility between different sprints, making it difficult to adjust to new goals.
• Teams need to be sufficiently trained in Agile principles.

Kanban

Kanban is an Agile methodology that focuses on visualizing the flow of work by using a Kanban board. Tasks are listed on the board and moved from one column to the other as they move through the workflow. There is no sprint period in Kanban – work is continuously pulled through the process until it’s completed. In addition to the Kanban board, the team members hold daily stand-up meetings to discuss progress.

Advantages of Kanban

• Offers flexibility regarding priorities when new features are requested.
• Better flow of work, making it easier to track the progress of a project.
• Focuses on team-oriented tasks and is perfect for continuous improvement.
• No need for estimation and up-front planning for a sprint iteration.

Disadvantages of Kanban

• Might require a change of mindset to adopt a more visual approach.
• Might not be as intuitive for people that haven’t worked with it before.
• Lack of a structured process can lead to chaos.
• Requires the team to commit to continuous improvement.

Scrum or Kanban: Which One to Choose?

The decision on which methodology to choose depends on several factors such as the team, the project phase or the organization goals. Here's a short guide to help you choose.

• Choose Scrum if you have a team with a range of technical skills and are capable of up front planning. If the objectives are clear and a timeline is set before the project starts, Scrum is typically the superior choice.
• Choose Kanban if you need a more flexible approach and prioritization is required. This methodology is suitable for teams that have already achieved a certain degree of maturity and know how to visualize the project to identify potential challenges.

In conclusion, choosing between Scrum and Kanban depends on the nature of your project, your team's expertise, and the project's goals. Both methodologies can lead to success, but you must choose one that will align better with your team’s capabilities and objectives.

References

• “The Scrum Framework.” Scrum.org, www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-scrum.
• “What Is Kanban and How to Use It for Software Development.” The ScrumMaster, 7 Feb. 2020, thescrummaster.co.uk/kanban/what-is-kanban-and-how-to-use-it-for-software-development/.