Scrum vs Kanban: Comparison of agile project management methods

Scrum and Kanban are agile project management methods that seek to improve efficiency and product delivery. Scrum is based on time cycles called 'sprints' and specific roles, while Kanban focuses on visualization of workflow without defined roles.

Both methodologies have their differences in terms of management approach, task planning and work limits. In this article, we will explore the features, benefits, and applications of Scrum and Kanban in project management.

In the field of project management, Scrum and Kanban are two widely used methodologies to improve efficiency and product delivery. Both approaches are based on agility, adaptability and maximizing the value of the work performed. Let's look in detail at the principles and objectives of Scrum and Kanban, as well as a comparison between them.

Despite belonging to the field of agile project management, Scrum and Kanban present significant differences in their approaches and practices:

Scrum is an agile project management framework that relies on collaboration and continuous iteration to achieve efficient results.

It focuses on delivering value by organizing it into time cycles called "sprints." In this section, we will explore the key elements and roles that make up Scrum, as well as the software development process and sprint planning.

In Scrum, there are several fundamental elements and roles that contribute to the success of the project. These items include:

In addition to these elements, Scrum also defines specific roles that perform key functions in the project.

These roles include the Scrum Master, who is responsible for facilitating the process and removing obstacles, and the Product Owner, who represents the customer's interests and defines product priorities.

Software development with Scrum is based on agile principles of collaboration, iteration, and continuous delivery of value. The development team works on functionality increments during each sprint, prioritizing and completing Product Backlog tasks. The iterative approach allows for adjustments and improvements based on results and customer needs.

The development team self-manages and organizes its work, maximizing transparency and continuous communication. Delivering working software at the end of each sprint allows for immediate feedback and adjustments in the next cycle.

Planning and executing sprints in Scrum follows an iterative and collaborative approach. During planning, the team selects the tasks from the Product Backlog and includes them in the Sprint Backlog, defining the work to be done during the sprint.

Once the tasks are established, the team commits to completing them during the agreed-upon time for the sprint. During execution, the team holds daily meetings to stay open of progress and address potential obstacles.

At the end of the sprint, a review is conducted to evaluate the work completed and a retrospective to identify opportunities for improvement.

In the context of agile project management, Kanban stands out for its focus on visualizing and managing workflows. This methodology is based on the use of a Kanban board, a visual tool that allows teams to have a clear and orderly view of the status of ongoing, completed and pending tasks.

The Kanban board is made up of columns that represent different stages of the workflow, such as “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done.” Each task is represented by a card that moves from column to column as you progress through the process. This provides an intuitive visualization and allows all team members to quickly understand the status of tasks and what needs to be done next.

Additionally, the Kanban board makes it easy to identify bottlenecks and properly allocate resources. If a column is overloaded with tasks, it is a clear sign that work needs to be realigned or more resources allocated to avoid delays. On the other hand, if a column has few tasks, it can be used to assign new jobs and keep the workflow constant.

Kanban is characterized by its focus on agile project management. By setting limits on the amount of work that can be done simultaneously, Kanban promotes efficiency and faster task completion.

This methodology provides a clear view of the team's capabilities and helps avoid work overload, allowing for a balanced distribution of tasks over time.

Additionally, Kanban encourages continuous feedback loops, which drives constant improvement of the work process. Teams can analyze bottlenecks, identify optimization opportunities, and make constant adjustments to maximize efficiency and deliver results more effectively.

Work limits in Kanban are set based on the status of the workflow. Instead of limiting work per iteration, as in Scrum, Kanban sets limits on each column of the board. This ensures that the team is not overworked and that attention is given to all tasks in a balanced manner.

Additionally, adaptability is one of Kanban's strengths. This methodology allows modifications to be made to tasks until they are in flow, which provides greater flexibility to teams to adjust to project changes and demands. Kanban easily adapts to changing needs, making it an ideal choice for projects that require rapid response to customer demands.

Kanban offers an effective way to visualize and manage workflows in agile projects. Its focus on Kanban board, work boundaries, and adaptability provides teams with the clarity and flexibility needed to maximize efficiency and product delivery.

By using this methodology, projects can move forward fluidly and respond effectively to the changes and demands of today's business environment.

Scrum is based on having specific roles such as Scrum Master and Product Owner, each with defined responsibilities in the project.

These roles work together to oversee the process and ensure that objectives are met. On the other hand, Kanban has no defined roles, which allows for greater flexibility in task assignment and does not require specific roles for project success. In Kanban, participation is encouraged from all team members, regardless of their specialization.

In Scrum, you work in sprints, which are fixed-time iterations in which tasks are planned and executed. During a sprint, no changes to assigned tasks are allowed, allowing for greater focus on completing set goals.

On the other hand, Kanban is not based on specific time cycles and allows modification of tasks until they enter flow. This provides greater flexibility to adapt to changes and prioritize tasks based on the current needs of the project.

Scrum limits the work in process per iteration, meaning that a limit is set on the number of tasks that can be carried out simultaneously in each sprint. This encourages concentration and prevents work overload.

In Kanban, on the other hand, work in process is limited according to the status of the workflow, which helps control work capacity and avoid bottlenecks. Kanban allows teams to organize based on their specialties and focuses on maintaining a constant and efficient flow of tasks.

Scrum and Kanban offer significant benefits in terms of efficiency and product delivery. With Scrum, by working in sprints and having well-defined roles such as the Scrum Master and the Product Owner, collaboration is encouraged and communication between team members is improved. This allows for greater efficiency in the execution of tasks and faster delivery of products.

On the other hand, Kanban focuses on the visualization of the workflow, which allows bottlenecks and areas for improvement to be identified. By setting limits on work in process and encouraging continuous feedback cycles, you achieve more efficient management of tasks, avoiding overwork and increasing the speed of delivery.

Both Scrum and Kanban are agile methods that adapt to different types of projects. Scrum is especially suited for complex, long-term projects, where requirements may change over time. Its focus on fixed-time iterations allows for more flexible planning and the ability to adapt to new demands or changes to the project.

For its part, Kanban stands out for its ability to manage projects quickly and efficiently, especially those that require an immediate response to customer demands. By not having defined roles and working continuously, Kanban easily adapts to projects of different scales and characteristics.