Kanban vs Scrum

Roles and Responsibilities

• Scrum: Scrum has specific roles like Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team. Each role has well-defined responsibilities[1][2][3][4].

• Kanban: Kanban does not have predefined roles. It encourages collaboration and flexibility, allowing team members to adapt to changing priorities[1][2][3][4].

Process Flow

• Scrum: Scrum follows a prescriptive process with defined stages, such as Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective. Each stage has a specific purpose and timeline[1][2][3][4].

• Kanban: Kanban uses a visual process with no predefined stages. It focuses on continuous flow and limiting work in progress (WIP) to optimize workflow[1][2][3][4].

Delivery Timelines

• Scrum: Scrum uses sprints, which are short iterations (1-4 weeks) to deliver chunks of work. Each sprint has a specific goal and timeline[1][2][3][4].

• Kanban: Kanban delivers work continuously, without fixed timelines. It focuses on delivering tasks as needed, rather than in fixed intervals[1][2][3][4].

Delegation and Prioritization

• Scrum: Scrum uses a "push" system, where tasks are assigned to team members based on a predefined plan. The Scrum Master ensures the team stays on track[1][2][3][4].

• Kanban: Kanban uses a "pull" system, where team members pull tasks based on their availability and priority. This allows for more flexibility and adaptability[1][2][3][4].

Modifications and Changes

• Scrum: Scrum allows for changes during the sprint, but these changes are typically planned and agreed upon before the sprint begins. Changes can be made, but they may impact the overall project timeline[1][2][3][4].

• Kanban: Kanban allows for changes to be made at any time, as needed. This flexibility is beneficial for projects with changing priorities or requirements[1][2][3][4].

Measurement of Productivity

• Scrum: Scrum measures productivity using velocity, which is the amount of work completed during a sprint. This helps teams estimate future work and plan accordingly[1][2][3][4].

• Kanban: Kanban measures productivity using cycle time, which is the time it takes to complete a task from start to finish. This helps teams identify bottlenecks and optimize workflow[1][2][3][4].

Best Applications

• Scrum: Scrum is best suited for projects with stable priorities and well-defined requirements. It is effective for complex projects that require a structured approach[1][2][3][4].

• Kanban: Kanban is best suited for projects with widely varying priorities or requirements. It is effective for projects that require flexibility and adaptability[1][2][3][4].