All Courses
Upcoming Course Dates
Professional Courses
Academy & Short Courses
IPM Courses
PMI Courses
IPMA Courses
PRINCE2 Courses
Corporate Training
Corporate Partnership
Strategic Partnership
IPM Competency Pathway
Growth Partner
Certification Overview
IPMA Certification
PMI Certification
About IPM Hub
IPM Membership
EMEA Monthly Events
Mentorship
All Resources
Expert Insights
Ebooks & Toolkits
Publish Your Writing
IPM Jobs Portal
The Institute
Faculty
Global Advisory Board
Apply to Lecture or Volunteer
Apply to Intern or Campus Ambassador
Speak to an Advisor
hamburger__close
In the world of agile project management, two methodologies reign supreme: Kanban and Scrum. Both offer distinct approaches to managing projects and improving workflow efficiency, but they differ in several key areas.
This article will dive into Kanban vs Scrum, exploring their origins, principles, roles, workflows, pros and cons, and when each is most effectively used. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of how these two methodologies compare and how to choose the right one for your team or project. Additionally, we’ll explore hybrid approaches like Scrumban that combine the best of both worlds.
Agile methods promote sprints instead of strict schedules, short feedback loops instead of long-term planning, and collaboration over individual ownership. They also focus on continuous improvement, using data (like customer surveys) to improve processes.
Kanban is a visual workflow management method used to improve efficiency, predictability, and delivery within a production environment. It originated in manufacturing but has been successfully adapted to various industries, particularly in software development and IT.
The concept of Kanban was introduced by Taiichi Ohno, an industrial engineer at Toyota, in the 1940s. Kanban was designed to improve manufacturing efficiency by reducing waste, improving product flow, and increasing responsiveness. The word Kanban translates to “visual signal” or “card” in Japanese, reflecting its use of visual signals to track work items throughout the production process.
Kanban was initially used to streamline production lines by controlling inventory and ensuring that only necessary items were produced. In modern times, it has been adapted to software development, where teams use Kanban boards to track tasks and ensure work is done efficiently.
A typical Kanban board consists of three columns: To Do, In Progress, and Done. Cards representing tasks move through these columns as work progresses, providing a clear visual representation of the project’s status. However, Kanban boards can be customised to meet different needs, with additional columns such as “Backlog”, “Blocked”, or “On Hold” used to reflect more detailed project stages.
WIP limits are a core feature of Kanban. They help prevent overloading the team and ensure that tasks are completed before new ones are started, thereby improving focus and reducing waste. WIP limits create a balanced workload for the team and help identify bottlenecks in the process.1
Scrum is an agile framework that provides a structured approach to project management, particularly for software development. It is iterative, with teams working in sprints—short, time-boxed periods of intense work aimed at delivering incremental progress.
Kanban and Scrum, while similar in many ways, have some fundamental differences worth noting. They both aim to maximise productivity by limiting time spent in meetings and on projects, and both Scrum and Kanban rely heavily on the concept of self-organising teams that work together efficiently.
| Differences | Scrum | Kanban |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Scrum is characterised by its use of Sprints. A Sprint is a fixed-length time period (usually two to four weeks) during which specific pieces of required work must be completed. | Kanban takes an entirely different approach by focusing on continuous improvement—making incremental changes over time to ensure quality without sacrificing pace. |
| Flexibility | This is another difference in Scrum and Kanban; In Kanban, there is no designated person for any task. This means that team members can take on the responsibility of getting something done themselves. | Kanban is a very flexible method and allows for change at any point during a project’s life cycle. |
| Progress Measure | Scrum emphasises getting a product out quickly with the help of frequent updates called Sprints. Sprints are often two-weeks long, and are made up of daily Scrum meetings where team members discuss what they plan to do. | This is another difference between Scrum and Kanban: in Kanban, there is no designated person for any task. This means that team members can take on the responsibility of getting something done themselves. |
| Scrum Team | In Scrum, the team is fixed (but can be changed if certain people are not doing their jobs). There are three well-defined roles in this model: product owner, Scrum master and development team. | Kanban focuses more on using graphs than on fixed deadlines when managing projects, so teams only keep track of what they are doing rather than worrying about superfluous details. |
Kanban and Scrum are two of the most widely used Agile methodologies. Both share the same overarching goal: helping teams deliver value faster and more effectively. However, each approach has distinct strengths and limitations that should be carefully considered before deciding which methodology to adopt.
One of the most visible differences between Kanban and Scrum is the Kanban Board vs the Scrum Board.
Scrumban is a hybrid approach that combines the flexibility of Kanban with the structure of Scrum. It allows teams to manage their work using a Kanban board while still following Scrum’s defined sprints and roles.
Several tools can support both Kanban and Scrum methodologies, making it easier for teams to manage workflows and track progress.
Scrum and Kanban are both effective frameworks for managing Agile projects, but they serve different needs. Scrum provides a structured, time-boxed approach that works well for projects that require regular feedback, iterative planning, and defined roles. Kanban, on the other hand, is more flexible, focusing on continuous improvement and flow without strict timeboxes or roles. If you can’t decide between the two, the hybrid approach, like Scrumban, may be a good fit.
Keep this cheat sheet handy for quick reference on Kanban vs Scrum differences, key principles, and best practices.
The main difference lies in the structure. Scrum uses fixed iterations (sprints), while Kanban focuses on continuous flow with no defined timeframes.
Yes, combining the two methodologies in Scrumban allows teams to use the flexibility of Kanban with the structured approach of Scrum.
Scrum is often better suited for software development projects with clear deadlines, while Kanban is great for teams that need continuous delivery.
Kanban uses Lead Time and Cycle Time, while Scrum uses Velocity and Burndown Charts to measure progress.
Yes, Scrum has defined roles: Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team.
Kanban allows changes at any time, while Scrum typically handles changes between sprints to avoid disruptions.
References
