Kanban_Vs_Scrum_Characteristics_Similarities_Pros_and_cons

Kanban Vs Scrum Benefits , Similarities, Advantages and Disadvantages

Both methodologies have their pros and cons. Scrum is appropriate, if your organization is really stuck and it needs a fundamental shift toward the more efficient process. If your process is already working well and you want to improve it over time without shaking the development system Kanban is better for your organization.

Scrum is a well-defined process framework to structure your work. If your company is not using Agile software development methodology then scrum is a good change for your team. When your team used Scrum methodology then they have to work in:

  • Iterations
  • Cross-functional team
  • With product owner
  • Under the counseling of Scrum master
  • Regular meetings
  • Iteration planning
  • Sprint reviews

Switching your organization to scrum is a beneficial process. It will remove your old habits and changed them into effective ones.

Kanban methodology is less structured methodology than Scrum. There is no process framework in this methodology. It only has an introduced model who improves the process through incremental improvements. This methodology can apply on any other methodology which you are already running.
In Kanban, we organize our work on Kanban board. In Kanban process is running as:

  • Testing
  • Ready for release
  • Released Columns

Kanban management criteria are WIP (Work in progress). By managing WIP and monitoring WIP we can optimize the flow of work items.

Similarities in scrum and Kanban

  • Both are Lean and Agile
  • Both limit WIP
  • Both use “pull scheduling”
  • Both are focus on delivering the releasable software often and early.
  • Both use transparency to drive process improvement
  • Both need breaking the work into pieces
  • Both are based on self-organizing teams
  • Both release plan is continuously optimized and based on the empirical data (lead time/velocity).

Scrum Benifits

  • In scrum timeboxed iterations are prescribed.
  • Scrum team commits to a specific amount of work in an iteration.
  • Scrum uses Velocity as default metric for the planning and the process improvement.
  • Scrum team is Cross-functional.
  • In scrum items are broken down so that they can be completed within the one sprint.
  • Burndown chart prescribed scrum.
  • WIP limited scrum indirectly (as per sprint).
  • Estimation is prescribed in the scrum.
  • In scrum you cannot add new items to ongoing iteration.
  • The sprint backlog is owned by a specific team only.
  • Scrum Prescribes 3 roles PO (Product owner), SM (Scrum master) and Scrum Team.
  • The Scrum board is reset after each sprint.
  • The Prioritized product backlog is prescribed in the Scrum.

Kanban Benifits

  • In Kanban Timeboxed iteration is optional.
  • Kanban is event-driven instead of timeboxed.
  • Kanban has separate cadences for planning, process improvement and release.
  • Commitment is optional in Kanban.
  • Default metric for planning and process improvement use lead time in Kanban.
  • Kanban teams allowed specialist, while the Cross-functional team is optional.
  • Kanban does not prescribe any particular item size or Diagram.
  • WIP limited Kanban directly (as per workflow state)
  • Estimation is optional in Kanban.
  • Kanban allows you to add new items whenever the capacity is available.
  • The kanban board can be shared by individuals or multiple teams.
  • Kanban does not prescribe any specific roles.
  • The kanban board is persistent.
  • Prioritization is optional in Kanban.

Advantages of Scrum

Scrum framework is highly perspective. It has specific roles and ceremonies. Scrum has a lot of advantages, some are listed here.

  • Scrum has more transparency and visibility than any other methodology.
  • It increases the team accountability.
  • Scrum is easy with changes. It accommodates changes.
  • Scrum is a cost saving development methodology.

Disadvantages of Scrum

Everything has two faces. When scrum has some benefits then it also has some disadvantages. Scrum is a methodology for usually high level and experienced persons. Scrum disadvantages are listed below.

  • Scrum need to be experienced and high-level persons, lack of experienced persons scrum process has some risk of scope creep.
  • Scrum team requires experience and commitmented team.
  • Less experienced scrum master can ruin the whole process of development.
  • If the task is defined poorly then the project can be lead to inaccuracies.

Advantages of Kanban

Kanban is easy to learn and understand the methodology. It improves the workflow and minimizes the time cycle. Some major advantages are listed here:

  • Kanban methodology increases the process flexibility.
  • It reduces the wastes from the process.
  • Kanban is easy to understand the methodology.
  • It improves the delivery flow.
  • It reduces the time cycle of the process.

Disadvantages of Kanban

Most of the disadvantages of Kanban is due to misuse or mishandling of Kanban board. Some common disadvantages are given:

  • Outdated Kanban board can lead to issues in the development process.
  • Some time Kanban team make the board overcomplicate.
  • Lack of timing is another disadvantage because there is no timeframes are associated with each phase.