How do you explain Kanban vs Agile to an interviewer?

?? Agile is a set of guiding principles to increase collaboration and value addition in the delivery of results in an incremental and very adaptable manner.

Agile is a broader philosophy emphasizing iterative development, collaboration, and customer feedback. It provides a flexible and customer-centric approach to project management. Scrum, a popular Agile framework, employs fixed-length iterations (Sprints) for development. Kanban is a specific Agile methodology used for managing work. It focuses on visualizing workflow on a Kanban board, limiting work in progress, and optimizing the flow of work. Unlike Scrum, Kanban allows for a continuous flow of work without predefined timeboxes. In essence, Agile is a philosophy, while Kanban is a specific Agile methodology with a visual approach to managing and optimizing work.

Agile is a methodology and philosophy that revolves around the central idea of collaboration and the creation of valuable products for customers. The goal is not only to create new product features but also to improve the customer experience. Continuous learning is essential to achieving this. A distinguishing characteristic of Agile is creating in iterations and learning from each iteration. Agile is applicable in most industries and is not limited to software development. If the main goal of development is to bring a high-quality product in a dynamic environment with frequent changes and a high level of uncertainty, then Agile is the right methodology to use.

Being agile means the ability to respond to changes. In software development, agile is an umbrella term which encompasses various frameworks that help delivery software faster keeping a customer focused approach. Kanban is a framework within agile and focuses on visualisation and workflow. Kanban enables agility.

The agile approach is designed to adapt to changing requirements and deliver value incrementally and iteratively. Some key aspects of Agile: - Agile methodologies break down the development process into small, manageable increments known as iterations. - Close collaboration with customers, stakeholders, and end-users is a fundamental principle. - Agile promotes the formation of cross-functional teams that include members with diverse skills (e.g., developers, testers, designers, and business analysts). - Agile projects are often organized into time-boxed iterations or sprints, typically ranging from one to four weeks.

From lean to manage visually continuous production flow, Kanban can be used within agile frameworks. So here is Scrumban. Scrum in agile is more focus on timeboxed sequences. Kanban in a continuous flow.

anban is a visual workflow management system, often using a board with cards, that helps teams see work flow steadily through stages (like "to do," "in progress," and "done"), limit work in progress to avoid overload, and continuously improve their process. Think of it as a traffic light for tasks, ensuring they move smoothly without jams. Kanban can be a good choice for contuous workflow situations.

The purpose of Kansan is to continuously optimise and improve the flow of value delivered by the teams. The focus is on increasing the flow efficiency rather than individual efficiency by removing waste and eliminating delays rather than optimising individual performance of a specific workflow step. Kansan applies system thinking and optimises system as a whole.

In my experience, Kanban is a process improvement method and it can be applied anywhere. Kanban is NOT a framework. Kanban is not an Agile Methodology. The journey began in the early 1940s, with Taiichi Ohno, an Industrial Engineer and Businessman, pioneering the first Kanban system specifically for Toyota's automotive operations in Japan. Kanban is part of Lean philosophy with some of other Lean Practices which includes, Jidoka, Just In Time (JIT), Poka Yoke, 5S, Kaizen and more. Kanban works on pull system when there is an empty space and it is a signal that capacity is available for work. Kanban focuses on small improvements and start where you are now. Kanban backbone is limiting work in progress and maintaining the flow of value.

Kanban is simple and interesting. It is one of the valuable processes that can be adapted in any team across industries. You have a product back log list. The product owner calls for a meeting as and when required. There is no opening or other ceremonies. There will be a daily stand up meeting for 15 minutes where every team member updates the team about what he did yesterday and what he is working on today. He also enumerates the dependencies and help required if any. All the team members work on the top 3-5 items in their swim lane or list as per the priority.

Kanban and Agile are both project management methods, but they different in their key principles. Agile is a broader methodology that emphasizes flexibility and collaboration. It breaks projects into smaller parts called iterations, with constant reevaluation and adjustment. Agile is often associated with frameworks such as Scrum or Extreme Programming (XP). Kanban, on the other hand, is a visual planning system in Agile methodology. ?t focuses on maximizing efficiency by visualizing work, limiting work in progress, and improving processes.

Kanban is a way to visualize work made popular by Toyota. Agile is a set of values and principles. Any method compatible with those values and principles could be described as agile. It is possible to create an agile method that harnesses kanban - but in and of itself, kanban is a way to visualize work.

Kanban and Agile differ fundamentally, yet complement each other. Kanban is a method emphasizing work flow and waste minimization, adaptable within any Agile framework. Agile is a broader philosophy prioritizing work value and customer satisfaction, applicable to various development processes. Key distinctions include: Roles, Ceremonies, Artifacts: Kanban doesn't prescribe specific roles or ceremonies, unlike many Agile frameworks which do. Time-Boxes/Iterations: Agile often employs fixed iterations (like sprints in Scrum), whereas Kanban does not. Performance Metrics: Kanban uses metrics like lead time and throughput, focusing on efficiency. Agile metrics, such as velocity and customer feedback, emphasize effectiveness and value delivery.

gile methodologies like Scrum often use time-boxed iterations (sprints), while Kanban focuses on a continuous flow of work with no predefined timeframes. Agile methodologies like Scrum have specific roles (Scrum Master, Product Owner, etc.) and ceremonies (Sprint Planning, Daily Standups, etc.), while Kanban has fewer prescribed roles and ceremonies, allowing for a more adaptable approach.

Agile Methodologies includes various frameworks (Crystal, Scrum, XP, DSDM, SAFe etc.). Agile Project Management is a way of handling projects with iterative and incremental delivery to learn as you work by continuous feedback. The Manifesto for Agile Software Development includes 4 Values and 12 Principles which focuses on togetherness, teamwork, customer satisfaction, flexibility, people first, trusting your team, technical excellence and reflecting back, learn and evolve. Be better everyday. Kanban is on the other side is a process improvement method derived from Lean philosophy and focus on minimized waste and delivering value. Kanban suggests begin with small steps and gradual improvements with focus on limiting WIP, improving flow.

There is a trap set by the question itself. You do not have to choose between Agile and Kanban. Kanban is an evolutionary approach with 1st change management principle of starting with what you do now. Therefore it is perfectly compatible with Agile. You could use it on top of your favorite Agile framework or some homemade hybrid Agilish approach to improve it over time. And, by the way, to do that, you don't even have to mention Kanban, just use its practices and principles to improve the delivery of your product or service over time.

Kanban is particularly effective in environments where work is continuous and demands are variable, such as operations. Its visual workflow management system allows teams to adapt quickly to changing priorities. Agile, specifically Scrum, is more suited to projects that have a defined scope and deliverables within a set timeframe, making it ideal for new product development or feature enhancements. However, the choice between Kanban and Agile also depends on an organization's culture and readiness for change. Implementing Agile methodologies often requires a more significant cultural shift towards collaboration and iterative development. In contrast, Kanban can be seen as less disruptive as it can be overlaid on existing processes.

Scrum has fixed iterations and roles, with planned work in Sprints. Kanban is flexible, allowing continuous delivery with no fixed iterations or predefined roles. Scrum focuses on stability, while Kanban embraces changes at any time. Scrum has specific events and roles, while Kanban uses a visualized workflow and emphasizes metrics like lead time and WIP limits.

When choosing between Kanban and Agile, consider the team's experience with project management. Kanban is simpler and less rule-bound, ideal for teams new to structured project management, focusing on adaptability and continuous workflow. It suits teams that prefer autonomy and flexibility. Agile, with its structured sprints and regular reviews, is better for teams familiar with project management and those that thrive under clear timelines and deliverables. The choice also depends on the team's preference for structure and regularity versus flexibility and continuous adaptation. A hybrid approach, combining elements of both, may work best for some, leveraging the strengths of each methodology.

The decision hinges on the desired outcomes and the specific dynamics of the project and team involved. Agile, characterized by its structured sprints (timeboxes), is ideal for projects that require a consistent pace and definitive milestones. On the other hand, Kanban is more suitable for scenarios demanding ongoing delivery and adaptability to changing priorities, such as in maintenance or operational tasks, and in situations where value delivery extends beyond the confines of a fixed timebox.

Agile is a broad project management philosophy centered around collaboration, customer feedback, and iterative development. Kanban, originally derived from manufacturing, is a specific Agile approach that emphasizes continuous delivery and visual management. Unlike Agile methodologies with fixed time iterations, Kanban allows for a more flexible workflow without predefined sprints. It uses a Kanban board to visualize work, set work-in-progress limits, and optimize flow. While Agile methodologies like Scrum have roles, fixed iterations, and specific planning sessions, Kanban is more adaptive, accommodating changes at any time. In essence, Agile provides a framework, and Kanban is a specific, adaptable methodology within that framework.

Agile is like a well-planned road trip which emphasizes flexibility with fixed destinations & iterative progress through sprints, while Kanban is more like an open highway where you adapt to traffic (workflows) as it comes. Kanban focuses on visualizing workflow, limiting work in progress, and continuous delivery. For instance, in a previous role, we embraced Agile to meet specific project milestones, but later switched to Kanban for ongoing support tasks, allowing us to handle varying workloads seamlessly. In essence, Agile is like a dynamic roadmap, and Kanban is akin to a steady flow system, both aiming for efficient project management with distinct methodologies.

Emphasize understanding both methodologies' core principles and adaptability. Give examples from past experiences where you implemented either Kanban or Agile, highlighting how you chose the method based on value delivery needs, team structure, and desired outcomes.

Der Hauptunterschied liegt darin, dass ?? Agile (wie Scrum) sich auf die Organisation (!) der Arbeit in Sprints und die Lieferung von funktionsf?higen Teilen des Produkts konzentriert, ?? Beispiel: Ein Softwareentwicklungsteam verwendet Agile, indem es in zweiw?chigen Sprints arbeitet. W?hrend jedes Sprints plant das Team die Aufgaben, die in diesem Zeitraum erledigt werden sollen. Am Ende jedes Sprints wird ein funktionsf?higes Produktinkrement geliefert. ?? w?hrend Kanban den Fokus auf die Visualisierung (!) des Arbeitsflusses und die kontinuierliche Optimierung legt, ohne feste Zeitrahmen vorzugeben. ?? Bsp.: Ein Team verwendet Kanban, um seine Arbeit zu organisieren und visualisieren.

Agile is structured with defined roles, ceremonies, and fixed iterations. For example, a mobile banking app team works in two-week cycles with specific job roles and daily communication with users. Kanban is a flexible, visual workflow system. In manufacturing, it's like a collaborative to-do list, without set roles or rigid schedules, focusing on seamless workflow.

Imagine a flowing river (Kanban) vs. a series of rapids (Agile): Both get you downstream, but Kanban's focus is smooth, continuous delivery, prioritizing work based on capacity. Agile, on the other hand, conquers complex projects in iterative bursts (sprints), adapting to change quickly. While Agile sets the framework, Kanban provides the tools for visualizing workflow and optimizing efficiency. Think of Kanban as the traffic light on the river, guiding work through the system, while Agile builds the boats and paddles for each rapid. Both are powerful tools, but choose the one that best fits your project's needs and flow!

Il faut regarder la maturité de l'équipe. Si elle est suffisamment mature (avec le PM, les devs, etc) alors on peut penser à faire du Kanban. Sinon oubliez, partez sur du Scrum au début !

Differentiate Kanban's focus on flow & visualization from Agile's emphasis on time-boxed iterations & controlled delivery. Emphasize their overlap - both value collaboration, feedback, & adaptation. Explain how they sit on a spectrum, with Kanban prioritising flow & Agile emphasizing control. For a technical role, delve deeper into Kanban's pull systems & Agile's technical practices. For a managerial role, focus on Agile's planning & delivery cycles & Kanban's adaptability to changing priorities. Share real-world examples of how you've used Kanban & Agile to solve problems & achieve success. Use stories to illustrate the benefits of Kanban & Agile - improved team collaboration, faster delivery & increased customer satisfaction.

Kanban is a subset of Agile. Agile is a mindset, the work to be done is taken in chunks and completed in iterations, delivered to the customer, feedback is collected, team inspects and adapts the work done, they find ways to improve their work by introducing automation etc and keep improving iteration after iteration. They work and deliver value in time boxed fashion. Kanban is a framework within Agile and more applicable in support systems, where the priority of work cannot be well planned before the iteration. There is continuous flow of work, the priority of the work can change anytime and timeboxing might not work well in Kanban.

Organizational Culture: Kanban fits well with cultures that embrace continuous improvement and flexibility, while Agile aligns with environments favoring structured planning and review cycles. Stakeholder Engagement: Agile methodologies, like Scrum, often require regular stakeholder feedback, making them suitable for projects where frequent client involvement is crucial. Kanban is less structured in stakeholder engagement, better for scenarios with sporadic or informal feedback. Learning and Adaptation: Kanban encourages ongoing learning from continuous work, whereas Agile, through its sprint iterations, offers structured reflection and learning opportunities.