What are the differences between Scrum and Kanban?

Scrum and Kanban are both popular agile methodologies for managing and delivering projects, but they have distinct differences in their approaches. Here are some key differences between Scrum and Kanban:

1. Framework vs. Method:

  • Scrum:

    • Scrum is a framework that prescribes specific roles, ceremonies, and artifacts.
    • It has predefined roles like Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team, along with ceremonies like Sprint Planning, Daily Standups, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.

  • Kanban:

    • Kanban is a method or system for managing workflow.
    • It doesn't prescribe specific roles or ceremonies. Instead, it focuses on visualizing the flow of work on a Kanban board and optimizing that flow.

2. Planning and Time-Boxing:

  • Scrum:

    • Uses time-boxed iterations called sprints, typically 2-4 weeks long.
    • Sprint planning is done at the beginning of each sprint, and the team commits to delivering a set of features by the end of the sprint.

  • Kanban:

    • Work is continuous, and there are no predefined time-boxed iterations.
    • Work items move through the board based on capacity and demand rather than a fixed schedule.

3. Roles:

  • Scrum:

    • Defines specific roles such as Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team.
    • Each role has distinct responsibilities and interactions.

  • Kanban:

    • Doesn't prescribe specific roles. Teams may have roles based on their needs, but there are no predefined roles in the Kanban method.

4. Work Planning:

  • Scrum:

    • Work is planned and committed to at the beginning of each sprint during sprint planning.
    • Changes to the scope are generally not allowed during the sprint.

  • Kanban:

    • Work is pulled from the backlog continuously based on capacity and demand.
    • Changes to priorities can happen at any time, and work is continually reprioritized.

5. Work-In-Progress (WIP) Limits:

  • Scrum:

    • Does not have explicit WIP limits.
    • Encourages completing the committed work within the sprint.

  • Kanban:

    • WIP limits are a central part of Kanban, helping to manage and optimize the flow of work.
    • WIP limits prevent teams from taking on too much work simultaneously.

6. Ceremonies:

  • Scrum:

    • Includes predefined ceremonies like Sprint Planning, Daily Standup, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.

  • Kanban:

    • Doesn't have predefined ceremonies. Teams may choose to have regular meetings for continuous improvement, but these are not mandated by the Kanban method.

7. Focus on Roles vs. Flow:

  • Scrum:

    • Focuses on roles and responsibilities to structure the team and the development process.

  • Kanban:

    • Focuses on visualizing the flow of work and optimizing that flow, allowing for more flexibility in team structure.

8. Change Management:

  • Scrum:

    • Changes to scope are generally not allowed during the sprint to maintain stability.

  • Kanban:

    • Allows for changes to priorities and scope at any time, providing more flexibility.

Both Scrum and Kanban have their strengths, and the choice between them often depends on the specific needs and characteristics of a project or organization. Some teams also adopt a combination of Scrum and Kanban elements, known as Scrum ban, to leverage the advantages of both methodologies.

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