Kanban vs Scrum: which agile method is best for project management?

In the field of project management, the agile approach is very often used. There are several methods that adopt this philosophy, including Kanban and Scrum, the most widespread on the market. Both allow you to manage all types of projects effectively, but which one is best suited to your objectives?

We'll help you make the right choice, with relevant definitions and comparisons, and a full comparison table to make your choice even more effective!

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What is an agile method?

Agile methodology is characterised by a project management method based on dialogue between all stakeholders. Whether it's the customer, employees or partners, the agile method involves all parties by encouraging collaboration between teams.

This method is characterised by :

• short, targeted development cycles
• short-term objectives
• better monitoring of project progress, with progressive and collaborative work,
• the possibility of developing products, modifying offers or plans in line with changing customer needs.

The Scrum method, for agile project management

Scrum is one of the most widely used agile methods. Its main strength lies in its short processes (called sprints), which are constantly adapted to changing customer expectations. As a result, it enables more flexible and intelligent work management by improving team efficiency.

💡Scrum means "scrum" in French: It's a method based on the work of a multi-skilled, tactical scrum team, which meets to make progress little by little and repeatedly.

Its methodology is based on a system of prioritising tasks, which provides greater visibility of the project and its progress. Scrum structures the work of teams into a development cycle:

• Incremental: Progressive work, task by task,
• Short and iterative: A process repeated several times, from the initial idea to an increasingly mature version. In this way, the project can be improved as development progresses.
• Adaptive : A process that adapts to changes in customer requirements,
• Transparent: A project in which all stakeholders are involved.

Kanban, the method that optimises your resources

Kanban is a pull-flow method, which means that the production of goods and services is triggered by consumer demand. As a result, production is based on demand, which limits your stocks.

💡In Japanese, Kanban means "label": it is therefore a method based on a visual managerial system made up of labels. Each label corresponds to a customer request. In this way, the production chain is activated according to changes in these requests, optimising resources over the long term.

The Kanban method has its origins in the lean organisation , based on the principle of "just in time", which favours demand over supply. It therefore makes it possible to

• Limit the number of tasks
• Improve team performance
• Improve the quality of work

Tasks are therefore organised on a Kanban board, with their location changing from one column to another as they progress. The traditional steps are :

• To do
• In progress
• Under review
• Blocked
• Completed

💡You can, however, customise these columns according to the way your company's work is organised and the habits of your teams and/or your customers.

What are the similarities between Kanban and Scrum?

Flexibility

Both methods are flexible and continually adapt to potential changes in the customer's needs. However, Kanban is more adaptable than Scrum in this respect.

Continuous improvement

Scrum and Kanban both place continuous improvement at the heart of their strategy. This means that their processes are constantly being improved, which boosts performance and leads to better results.

Creating sub-tasks

Projects are less complex and tasks are simplified. In fact, both methods reduce the complexity of a project by breaking down complex tasks into sub-tasks that are easier to manage and execute.

For example, if you want to create a website for your company, you will realise that you first need to :

1. define your needs
2. clarify the aim of the project (to improve your brand image, enhance the user experience, simplify the purchasing process, etc.),
3. plan the project,
4. design the outline of your site using mock-ups,
5. and then move on to production.

Visual management

Scrum, like Kanban, allows users to better visualise the progress of their project by means of a table in which the tasks are materialised. This improves the fluidity of the process and the identification of potential problems.

Team concentration

Both methods take the same approach to quality of work. They limit multitasking by reducing the number of tasks in progress. This allows teams to concentrate more on current operations and be more productive.

What's the difference between Scrum and Kanban?

Roles

👉In the Scrum approach, roles are clearly defined in advance for each team member:

• A product owner: He represents the customer, manages the backlog and supports the teams in their daily development tasks.
• A Scrum Master: ensures that Scrum principles and rituals are respected within the team.
• Developers : They choose the work to be done, which is agreed at the Sprint planning stage.

The roles are therefore precisely defined, but there is no single leader. Scrum teams are autonomous and equal from a hierarchical point of view, despite having different responsibilities. They collaborate and complement each other through a common goal.

👉In the Kanban approach, there is no need to define roles. Everyone's responsibilities are fairly flexible and the Kanban board is available to the entire team. So, unlike Scrum, the overall running of the project and teams is everyone's responsibility.

However, if you wish, you can call on the services of an " Agile Coach", who will ensure that your teams respect the fundamentals of the agile approach. He or she will support the organisation, without directing it, in its transformation or adaptation to the agile approach at both organisational and human levels.

The rhythm

The pace at Scrum is much faster than at Kanban.

👉In the Scrum method, we proceed by iteration or sprint. It's a so-called "empirical" approach that focuses on small units of work, to which complexity points are assigned during Planning Poker, which help the teams to better understand the customer over the long term. In this way, value is added at the end of each sprint, which helps to better determine the project's next tasks.

👉In the Kanban method, the rhythm works in a continuous flow, without iteration. Unlike Scrum, tasks are not defined within a certain time frame, teams remain agile and ready to adapt to changes in processes. This allows them to deal with different subjects and to take new elements into account while the task is being carried out.

Delivery method

👉In the Scrum method, a delivery is generally scheduled at the end of each sprint. This is because the teams define a goal for each iteration beforehand, and either approve it for delivery or not. So with Scrum, a deliverable is expected at the end of each development cycle.

👉In the Kanban method, deliverables are delivered as soon as they are ready, without any predefined due dates or regular planning. If the task is complete, it can be delivered without waiting for the "Delivery" stage and team approval, as Scrum does.

Organising and tracking tasks

👉In the Scrum method, the organisation of tasks is highly structured. Each iteration must be followed by four types of meeting, each with very specific objectives:

• Sprint Planning
• Daily Scrum
• Sprint Review
• Sprint Retrospective

👉Inthe Kanban method, no meetings are predetermined. However, development teams can schedule meetings to monitor the various tasks agreed.

Change

👉In the Scrum method, changes are avoided as far as possible, if not outlawed. A Sprint must retain the objectives, tasks and sub-tasks that have been predefined for it. If changes or process evolutions are noted during the Sprint, they are integrated into the next Sprint or into a new Sprint.

👉In the Kanban method, changes are taken into account and can be modified at any time. New tasks or features can be added to the Backlog. What's more, if the team's capacity changes, the Kanban board and tasks can be adjusted accordingly, which doesn't destabilise the teams.

Scrum vs Kanban: a comparison chart to help you make sense of it all

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So, which agile method is right for you?

Scrum and Kanban are two methods that can help you manage and organise your projects effectively. Despite their differences, their foundations, inspired by the agile approach, remain the same. The answer to the question "Which one should I choose?" therefore depends on your needs and those of your teams in terms of expectations, management and the type of project.

You can choose Kanban for its flexibility or Scrum for its prioritisation. Or you can combine them, because in the final analysis they can be said to complement each other. In fact, if you appreciate the adaptability of Kanban while wanting to work on the short, precise cycles of Scrum, you can. The two methods complement each other and are used at the same time quite regularly.

📣Cep though, it's important to point out that using Scrum requires a perfect mastery of its principles, rules and values. A little training might be in order if your teams are having difficulty adapting.