Scrum vs Kanban - What's the Difference?

Introduction

This tutorial will clarify the differences between Scrum and Kanban, two of the most popular Agile methodologies in software development. Understanding these frameworks will help teams choose the right approach for their projects, optimize workflow, and enhance productivity.

Step 1: Understand the Basics of Agile Development

• Agile development focuses on delivering value to customers in small increments.
• Key roles in Agile include the Product Owner, Development Team, and stakeholders.
• The Product Owner maintains the Product Backlog, a prioritized list of features and user stories based on customer feedback.

Step 2: Recognize the Pull System

• Both Scrum and Kanban use a pull system to manage workflow, ensuring that work moves from the Product Backlog to the customer efficiently.
• A pull system helps identify bottlenecks in the process, making it easier to address issues and improve speed.

Step 3: Explore Scrum Framework

• Sprints: Scrum works in time-boxed iterations called Sprints, typically lasting two weeks.
• Sprint Planning: At the beginning of each Sprint, a meeting is held to select high-priority items from the Product Backlog to include in the Sprint Backlog.
• Focus on Sprint Backlog: The Development Team commits to completing only the items in the Sprint Backlog during the Sprint.
• Daily Scrum Meetings: Short, daily stand-up meetings (maximum 15 minutes) allow the team to discuss progress and identify any blockers.
• Sprint Review and Retrospective: At the end of each Sprint, the team conducts a review to demonstrate completed work and a retrospective to discuss what went well and what can be improved.

Step 4: Examine Kanban Framework

• Continuous Process: Unlike Scrum, Kanban operates continuously without fixed-length iterations.
• Work in Progress (WIP) Limits: Kanban uses WIP limits to manage how many tasks can be in progress at any given time based on team capacity.
• Kanban Board: A visual board is essential for tracking work items, where each column represents different stages of the workflow with corresponding WIP limits.

Step 5: Compare Key Differences

• Sprints vs. Continuous Flow: Scrum uses time-boxed Sprints, while Kanban is a continuous process.
• Sprint Backlog vs. WIP Limits: Scrum relies on a Sprint Backlog, whereas Kanban implements WIP limits for better flow management.
• Meeting Structures: Scrum has structured meetings (Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, etc.), while Kanban's meetings are more flexible and less formal.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinctions between Scrum and Kanban is crucial for teams looking to implement Agile methodologies effectively. Scrum is suitable for teams that thrive on structured iterations and clear roles, while Kanban is ideal for those seeking a more fluid approach to workflow management. Consider your team's specific needs and project requirements to choose the most effective framework. For further exploration, consider downloading the free cheat sheet provided in the video description to assist you in applying these concepts in practice.