The Kanban vs Scrum debate is as old as agile itself. Teams argue about it in slack channels, blog posts, and conference hallways. But here's the truth: they're both just tools.
The question isn't which is “better.” It's which fits your team's work, constraints, and culture. Let's break it down.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Kanban | Scrum |
|---|---|---|
| Cadence | Continuous flow | Fixed sprints (1-4 weeks) |
| Roles | No required roles | 3 defined roles (PO, SM, Dev) |
| Planning | On-demand, as needed | Sprint planning ceremony |
| Changes | Anytime | Only between sprints |
| Metrics | Lead time, cycle time | Velocity, burndown |
| Best for | Support/ops teams | Product development |
| Learning Curve | Gentle | Steeper |
| Ceremonies | Optional/minimal | 4 required ceremonies |
What is Kanban?
Kanban is a visual workflow management method focused on continuous delivery and limiting work in progress. Born in Toyota factories, adapted for software teams.
Core Principles
- •Visualize workflow
- •Limit work in progress
- •Manage flow
- •Make policies explicit
How It Works
- 1.Tasks on a board
- 2.Set WIP limits per column
- 3.Pull work when ready
- 4.Optimize for flow
Key Metrics
- →Lead time
- →Cycle time
- →Throughput
- →WIP limits compliance
What is Scrum?
Scrum is an iterative framework for product development with defined roles, ceremonies, and time-boxed sprints. Built for teams tackling complex, adaptive problems.
Core Principles
- •Fixed time-boxes
- •Defined roles
- •Regular ceremonies
- •Empirical process control
How It Works
- 1.Plan the sprint
- 2.Daily 15-min standups
- 3.Review and demo work
- 4.Retrospect and improve
Key Metrics
- →Velocity
- →Sprint burndown
- →Sprint goal success
- →Story completion rate
The Real Differences
Workflow
Continuous flow. Work moves through stages when ready.
Batched iterations. Work is planned, executed, and delivered in sprints.
Commitment
Commit to completing individual items as capacity allows.
Commit to a sprint goal and set of stories for the entire sprint.
Change
Changes can happen anytime. Pull new work when capacity exists.
Sprint backlog is protected. Changes wait until next sprint.
Delivery
Items released as soon as they're done.
Potentially shippable increment delivered at sprint end.
So Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Kanban if...
- ✓Your work is unpredictable (support, ops, maintenance)
- ✓Priorities change frequently
- ✓You need to optimize for lead time
- ✓Your team resists ceremonies and structure
- ✓You have a continuous stream of similar-sized tasks
- ✓You're doing operational work, not building products
Choose Scrum if...
- ✓You're building a product with a roadmap
- ✓You need predictable delivery cadence
- ✓Your team benefits from regular ceremonies
- ✓You want to inspect and adapt in fixed intervals
- ✓Stakeholders need demo-able progress regularly
- ✓You're doing complex, creative work with unknowns
Common Myths Debunked
Myth: Kanban is Scrum without sprints
Reality: Kanban is a fundamentally different system focused on flow, WIP limits, and continuous delivery. It's not "Scrum lite."
Myth: You can't estimate with Kanban
Reality: You absolutely can. Kanban uses lead time and cycle time data for forecasting instead of story points.
Myth: Scrum is more rigorous than Kanban
Reality: Both require discipline. Kanban's simplicity makes it easy to start but hard to master.
Myth: Kanban doesn't have retrospectives
Reality: Kanban encourages continuous improvement. Many teams do regular retrospectives anyway.
The Bottom Line
Kanban and Scrum aren't religions. They're frameworks. Pick the one that fits your work, try it for a few months, and adapt. You can even blend them (that's called Scrumban, and yes, it's a real thing).
The best framework is the one your team actually follows. Start simple. Iterate. The methodology debate is a distraction—shipping is what matters.
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