Kanban vs Agile: Choosing the Best Approach for Your Team

Agile and Kanban are two popular Project Management methodologies that have gained significant traction in the business world. Both approaches aim to improve efficiency and deliver value, but they differ in their core principles and practices. Project Managers can make an informed decision about which approach is best suited for their Project Management needs, by understanding these differences between Kanban vs Agile. 
 
According to the State of Kanban report of 2022, more than 85 per cent of organisational teams reported the Kanban Board as more effective than other methods. Another report by Digital.ai reveals that about 90 per cent of Agile teams have robust people-centric values and empowerment principles. Check out this blog on Kanban vs. Agile, where you will learn about the key differences between Agile and Kanban methodologies. 

Table of Contents 

1) A brief look at Kanban Methodology

     a) Kanban principles 

2) A brief look at Agile methodology 

     a) Agile principles 

3) Key Differences between Kanban and Agile 

4) Conclusion 

A brief look at Kanban Methodology 

Kanban is a visual and Agile approach to Project Management that prioritises continuous flow and limits Work In Progress (WIP). Inspired by Lean manufacturing, Kanban aims to eliminate bottlenecks and streamline workflow. Kanban boards, composed of columns and cards, display the project’s status, making it simple to monitor and manage tasks.

Kanban differs from Agile in that it does not define specific roles, events, or fixed iterations. It enables teams to adjust to changing demands without interrupting ongoing work. Kanban enhances flow by implementing clear rules, restricting WIP, and constantly improving the workflow.

There are many Benefits of Kanban. It fosters continuous improvement by motivating teams to frequently evaluate and improve their workflow, ensuring effective delivery of value. With its adaptable nature and emphasis on flow, Kanban is ideal for projects with uncertain or evolving requirements, allowing teams to cope and respond efficiently.

Kanban principles

Here are the key principles of Kanban methodology:

1) Visualise the workflow: Kanban emphasises the workflow by using visualisations on a Kanban board, which consists of columns representing different stages of work and cards representing individual tasks.

2) Limit Work in Progress (WIP): Kanban advocates for limiting WIP, so teams can focus on completing existing work before taking on new tasks, reducing multitasking and improving overall efficiency.

3) Manage flow: Kanban focuses on optimising the flow of work by identifying and addressing bottlenecks and obstacles that impede progress.

4) Make policies explicit: Kanban encourages teams to define explicit policies and rules that govern the workflow.

5) Improve collaboratively: Kanban promotes continuous improvement by encouraging collaboration and learning.

6) Encourage leadership: Kanban encourages leadership at all levels of the organisation.  

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A brief look at Agile methodology

 Agile methodology is a Project Management approach that uses iterative and incremental cycles called sprints. It allows for flexibility and adaptability by splitting projects into smaller, achievable tasks.

Agile aims to deliver functional software early and often through regular cooperation among cross-functional teams. The core values of Agile are expressed in the Agile Manifesto, which highlights individuals and interactions, working software, customer collaboration, and responding to change.

Scrum is the most popular Agile framework, where work is organised into fixed-duration periods called sprints. Each sprint involves planning, daily stand-up meetings, and retrospectives to evaluate progress and make necessary changes. The product backlog, sprint backlog, and burndown charts are key artefacts used in Agile.

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Agile principles

Here, we will discuss the key Agile principles:

1) Prioritising individuals and interactions: Agile values human interactions and effective communication within a project.  

2) Comprehensive software documentation: Agile prioritises delivering working software or tangible value to customers over extensive documentation.   

3) [p--Customer collaboration: Agile encourages close collaboration with customers and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.  

Response to change: Agile embraces change and acknowledges that requirements may evolve during a project.

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Key Differences between Kanban and Agile

In this section, we will explore the differences between Kanban vs Agile. Below are the key points of comparison between the Agile and Kanban methodologies:

Conclusion 

We hope you read and understood the differences between Kanban vs Agile. This blog highlights the key strengths and differences of Kanban and Agile methodologies, to help managers choose the right approach for their Project Management needs. Agile's time-boxed iterations and defined roles promote collaboration and predictability, making it suitable for complex projects with changing requirements. Kanban, with its emphasis on flow and continuous improvement, is ideal for teams that require flexibility and frequent reprioritisation. 

Apply Kanban methodology to your business, by signing up for the Certified Kanban Foundation and Practitioner Course now!