Companies that adopt Agile principles deliver better customer experiences than those that continue to use traditional project management methods. Standish Group’s 2018 report stated that Agile projects had a two-fold higher success rate and were one-third less likely than projects managed by traditional PM. Companies have chosen Scrum and Kanban as their methods of choice based on Agile principles and values. This allows them to deliver the right products and services to users.
Table of Contents
Why is it important to choose between Kanban and Scrum?
What is Kanban?
What is Scrum?
Kanban vs. Scrum – What are the differences?
Kanban and Scrum?
Why is it important to choose between Kanban and Scrum?
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Regardless of which Agile methodology you choose, Scrum and Kanban offer many benefits to project teams. Both methodologies allow teams to:
Superior quality products and services are possible
Satisfy customers
You will have better control of the project
Improve predictability and project visibility
Reduce risks
What is more beneficial for a project, team or organization to use Kanban instead of Scrum? Both methodologies are based on Agile principles and values, but they are not interchangeable. Each methodology has its own focus and set of practices.
Also read: Agile vs. Waterfall – Differences in Software Development Methodologies
What is Kanban?
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Kanban is an Agile method that uses a lean manufacturing process used by Toyota, a Japanese automaker. Kanban employs a visual system to help project teams manage their work by balancing capacity with demands. Visualization allows the team to monitor the progress of activity as well as the execution of the process, from start to finish. Teams can quickly identify bottlenecks and make better decisions about how much work they will allow to finish the process.
Other than workflow visualization and WIP limitations, other guiding principles include documenting policies (definition of ‘done’), managing workflow, implementing feedback loops and improving continuously. Kanban teams measure the following:
Team velocity is the number of tasks a team can complete in a given time.
Lead time is the average time it takes for a client to receive a request from the team.
Cycle time is the average time it takes for a team to complete a request. It starts with the initial work on the request.
Kanban is used by teams in software development projects, process improvements, sales management, distribution, customer support, and lead management.
Also read: Best Kanban Board Software & Tools 2021
What is Scrum?
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Scrum is an Agile methodology that offers an alternative to the traditional sequential approach. Scrum is an incremental and iterative approach that allows a group of 10 or less members to break down complex project goals into smaller goals, and complete them in time-limited periods called sprints. Scrum was inspired by rugby, which refers to the formation of players in order to emphasize teamwork. Scrum teams identify specific roles, artifacts and ceremonies that are used in their practice.
Product Owner – represents the customer and manages the backlog. They also help prioritize work.
Scrum Master – Scrum Master allows the Scrum team work smoothly according to Agile principles
Scrum team – Self-organizing team that selects and completes work items
Sprint planning is done by Scrum teams to determine what work will be done on the next sprint. Daily stand-ups (scrums), are held to receive the most recent work updates from all members. The team conducts a sprint retrospective at the end of each sprint to review the work, show the completed work, and work with stakeholders to decide what next. They also conduct a sprint retrospective in order to reflect on the work.
