How does Kanban differ from Scrum?
Kanban and Scrum are both Agile approaches, but they differ in structure, rhythm, and degree of flexibility. Both help improve the process, but they do it in different ways.
Main differences
| Criterion | Scrum | Kanban |
|---|---|---|
| Work rhythm | Fixed-length cycles - sprints (1-4 weeks). | Continuous flow of tasks, without iterations. |
| Planning | Clear planning at the start of the sprint, the scope of work is fixed. | The plan is updated continuously, tasks are picked up as the team frees up. |
| Roles | Three roles: Product Owner, Scrum Master, development team. | No formal roles - the structure is free-form. |
| Events | 5 mandatory ceremonies (planning, daily, review, retro, and the sprint itself). | No fixed events, meetings are held as needed. |
| Limits | The scope of tasks is fixed for the sprint. | Only the number of tasks in progress is limited (WIP limit). |
| Measurements | Velocity, achievement of sprint goals. | Cycle time, lead time, flow stability. |
What the difference is about
- Scrum is structured and rhythmic: the team works in iterations with a clear goal.
- Kanban is flexible and continuous: work goes on all the time, and priorities can change at any moment.
Conclusion
Scrum provides pace and discipline, Kanban provides flexibility and visual control of the flow. Scrum suits building a new product, while Kanban suits ongoing support and improvement of already-working processes.
Short Answer
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