- Kanban: The Flow-Based Method
- Scrum: The Time-Boxed Method
- Kanban vs Scrum: The Key Differences
- Kanban vs Scrum: The Common Ground
- How to Balance Flexibility and Predictability in Kanban vs Scrum
1. Kanban: The Flow-Based Method
Kanban is a flow-based method that focuses on visualizing and optimizing the work in progress. Kanban teams use a board to track the status of their tasks, from backlog to done, and limit the number of items in each stage. This way, they can identify and eliminate bottlenecks, reduce waste, and deliver value continuously. Kanban is flexible and adaptable, as it does not prescribe roles, ceremonies, or timeboxes. Instead, it encourages teams to monitor and improve their process based on data and feedback.
2. Scrum: The Time-Boxed Method
Scrum is a time-boxed method that divides the work into fixed-length iterations called sprints. Scrum teams have defined roles, such as the product owner, the scrum master, and the developers, and follow a set of ceremonies, such as the sprint planning, the daily standup, the sprint review, and the sprint retrospective. The goal of Scrum is to deliver a potentially shippable product increment at the end of each sprint, and to inspect and adapt the product and the process based on customer feedback and team learning.
3. Kanban vs Scrum: The Key Differences
Kanban and Scrum are both agile methods that aim to deliver value to customers, yet they differ in various ways. Kanban is driven by the flow of work, while Scrum is driven by the timebox of the sprint. Additionally, Kanban has no predefined roles or ceremonies, whereas Scrum has specific roles and ceremonies. Furthermore, Kanban allows changes in the backlog at any time, while Scrum only allows changes between sprints. Lastly, Kanban measures the cycle time and the throughput of work, while Scrum measures the velocity and the burndown of work.
4. Kanban vs Scrum: The Common Ground
Kanban and Scrum have some similarities, such as being based on the principles of transparency, inspection, and adaptation. Both frameworks utilize a board to visualize the work and workflow, as well as rely on collaboration and communication among team members and stakeholders. Additionally, customer satisfaction and continuous improvement are paramount in both Kanban and Scrum.
5. How to Balance Flexibility and Predictability in Kanban vs Scrum
Deciding between Kanban and Scrum depends on the project context, goals, and preferences. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and you may even combine elements of both methods to create a hybrid approach. To balance flexibility and predictability, consider that Kanban is better for responding to changing requirements, while Scrum provides more structure and predictability. If you want to take advantage of both methods, you can use Scrum as a framework to organize your work into sprints, and Kanban as a tool to manage work in progress, limit work in progress, and optimize flow.
SOURCE: https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-balance-flexibility-predictability
