TLDR; Kanban and Scrum are both popular agile methodologies that can improve project management for IT professionals. Kanban emphasizes visualization, flexibility, and continuous delivery, while Scrum emphasizes teamwork, collaboration, and iterative development. Choosing the right methodology for your team depends on factors such as project requirements, team preferences, and available resources. Experiment with both methodologies to find the one that works best for your team.
The main differences between Kanban and Scrum:
| Kanban | Scrum | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Visualizes workflow | Divides project into sprints |
| 2. | Emphasizes flexibility and continuous delivery | Emphasizes teamwork and collaboration |
| 3. | Sets WIP limits for each stage of workflow | Prioritizes work based on value |
| 4. | Focuses on managing flow | Uses timeboxing to manage project |
| 5. | Makes process policies explicit | Allows team to self-organize |
| 6. | Implements feedback loops | Allows for iterative development |
| 7. | Improves collaboratively and evolves experimentally | Measures progress empirically |
| 8. | More flexible and adaptable to changes | More structured and less adaptable |
| 9. | Continuous delivery of small batches of work | Work completed in sprints |
| 10. | Reduces waste and increases efficiency | Promotes transparency and communication |
| 11. | Best suited for teams that require flexibility and continuous delivery | Best suited for teams that value teamwork and collaboration |
| 12. | Can be used for software development projects, as well as other types of projects | Originally developed for software development projects, but can be used for non-software development projects |
What is Kanban?
Kanban is an agile methodology that originated from the Toyota Production System. The word “Kanban” means “visual card” in Japanese, and the methodology emphasizes the visualization of workflow. The Kanban process involves creating a visual board that tracks the progress of work items as they move through the workflow.
Principles of Kanban
- Visualize workflow: Visualizing the workflow on a board helps the team stay organized and focused.
- Limit work in progress (WIP): Setting WIP limits for each stage of the workflow helps to prevent bottlenecks and overloading team members.
- Manage flow: Continuously monitor the flow of work items through the workflow to identify areas for improvement.
- Make process policies explicit: Clearly define the process policies for each stage of the workflow to ensure consistency and alignment across the team.
- Implement feedback loops: Use feedback loops to identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes.
- Improve collaboratively and evolve experimentally: Continuously look for ways to improve the process and experiment with new ideas to optimize the workflow.
How does the Kanban process work?
The Kanban process involves creating a visual board that tracks the progress of work items as they move through the workflow. The board is divided into columns that represent the different stages of the workflow. Work items are represented by cards, which are moved from one column to the next as they progress through the workflow.
The process involves setting WIP limits for each column to prevent bottlenecks and overloading team members. When a work item is completed in one column, it can be moved to the next column as long as there is capacity. This allows for a continuous flow of work items through the workflow.
Benefits of Kanban
- Flexible and adaptable: Kanban is a flexible methodology that can be easily adapted to the needs of your team and project.
- High visibility of workflow and progress: The visual board provides a clear and easy-to-understand representation of the workflow and progress.
- Continuous delivery of small batches of work: The process of continuously delivering small batches of work can help to identify issues and make necessary changes more quickly.
- Reduces waste and increases efficiency: The process of limiting WIP helps to prevent bottlenecks and overloading team members, which can increase efficiency and reduce waste.
What is Scrum?
Scrum is an agile methodology that was originally developed for software development projects. The methodology emphasizes teamwork, collaboration, and iterative development. The Scrum process involves dividing the project into small, timeboxed iterations called “sprints.”
Principles of Scrum
- Empirical process control: Scrum is based on the idea that progress is best measured empirically.
- Self-organizing teams: The team is responsible for organizing and managing their own work.
- Collaboration: The team works collaboratively to achieve their goals.
- Value-based prioritization: Work is prioritized based on its value to the project.
- Timeboxing: The project is divided into timeboxed iterations called sprints.
- Iterative development: The project is developed iteratively, with each sprint building on the work of the previous sprint.
How does the Scrum process work?
The Scrum process involves dividing the project into sprints, which are typically 1-4 weeks long. The team plans the work for each sprint during a sprint planning meeting, and then works on the tasks during the sprint. The team holds a daily scrum meeting to discuss progress and identify any obstacles that need to be addressed. At the end of the sprint, the team holds a sprint review meeting to demonstrate the completed work to stakeholders, and a sprint retrospective meeting to reflect on the process and identify areas for improvement.
Benefits of Scrum
- Promotes teamwork and collaboration: Scrum emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration, which can lead to better outcomes and more efficient use of resources.
- Allows for iterative development and continuous improvement: The iterative development process of Scrum allows for continuous improvement and the ability to adapt to changes in the project or market.
- Increases transparency and communication: The frequent meetings and updates in Scrum help to increase transparency and communication among team members.
- Prioritizes work based on value: Scrum prioritizes work based on its value to the project, which can help to ensure that the team is focusing on the most important tasks.
Choosing the Right Agile Methodology for Your Team
Both Kanban and Scrum have their own unique strengths and benefits. The decision of which one to choose will depend on the needs and preferences of your team. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:
- Flexibility: Kanban is more flexible than Scrum, making it a better fit for teams that require flexibility and continuous delivery.
- Teamwork: Scrum emphasizes teamwork and collaboration, making it a better fit for teams that value these qualities.
- Project requirements: Consider the size and complexity of your project, as well as the type of work that needs to be done.
- Available resources: Consider the resources that your team has available, such as tools and training.
Ultimately, the best way to determine which methodology is right for your team is to experiment and try both. You may find that one methodology works better for certain types of projects or teams, while the other works better for different situations.
