What is Scrum and Kanban?

Scrum is a framework for managing complex projects, emphasizing iterative progress through defined roles, events, and artifacts. It has three accountabilities: the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers. Kanban, on the other hand, is a visual workflow management method that focuses on continuous delivery and efficiency. It uses a Kanban board to visualize work, limit work in progress, and optimize flow.

Key Features of Scrum

• Time-boxed iterations called Sprints, typically lasting 1 to 4 weeks.
• Defined roles: Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers.
• Regular events: Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.

Key Features of Kanban

• Visual representation of work through Kanban boards.
• Focus on workflow efficiency and limiting work in progress.
• Continuous delivery without fixed iterations.

Both frameworks serve different needs. Scrum is ideal for teams that benefit from structured iterations, while Kanban suits teams focusing on flow and flexibility. In practice, many organizations blend elements of both to suit their unique contexts.

We've trained over 55,000 practitioners since 2001 at ThinkLouder, a Scrum Alliance Licensed Training Provider. If you're interested in certifications like CSM or CSPO, check out our certification offerings.

For more on Scrum events, see our post on the purpose of a Scrum standup.