Scrum vs. Kanban? Why Not Both? A Deep Dive into Scrumban

In today’s fast-paced product development landscape, teams often struggle to choose between Scrum and Kanban. While Scrum provides structured planning and clear goals, it can be rigid. On the other hand, Kanban offers flexibility but lacks structured milestones. Scrumban bridges this gap, offering the best of both worlds.

What is Scrumban?

Scrumban is a hybrid framework that combines Scrum’s structured approach with Kanban’s continuous workflow. It enables teams to manage product features dynamically while maintaining an efficient flow of work.

Why Choose Scrumban Over Pure Scrum or Kanban?

Feature Scrum Kanban Scrumban

Iteration Length Fixed sprints (1-4 weeks) Continuous Continuous, with optional planning cycles

Task Prioritization Planned per sprint Dynamic Dynamic but structured

Work Commitment Sprint backlog locked Tasks pulled as Tasks pulled with WIP needed limits

Best for Predictable work Continuous delivery Balancing planning & flexibility

Meetings Daily standups, retros Minimal As needed

Release Cycle End of sprint Anytime Anytime

How to Set Up a Scrumban Workflow

1. Define Your Workflow

Your Scrumban board should have columns representing key workflow stages:

• Backlog – Prioritized list of upcoming tasks/features.
• To Do (Ready) – High-priority items ready to be worked on.
• In Progress – Tasks actively being worked on (limited by WIP constraints).
• Review/Testing – Tasks undergoing QA or validation.
• Done – Completed tasks.

?? Tip: If your team frequently deals with urgent bugs, add a "Hotfix" lane to handle high-priority fixes separately.

2. Set Work-In-Progress (WIP) Limits

To prevent bottlenecks, assign WIP limits per stage. Example:

• "In Progress" limit: 5 tasks (if your team has 5 developers, each can focus on one task at a time).

This ensures tasks are completed efficiently before new ones are picked up.

3. Implement Rolling Prioritization

Unlike Scrum, where work is committed for a sprint, Scrumban allows dynamic backlog management. Teams pull the next high-priority task once they finish their current one.

4. Optimize Meetings & Planning

Scrumban removes unnecessary meetings, focusing on efficiency:

• Sprint Planning? Only when needed.
• Daily Standups? Optional, only if bottlenecks arise.
• Retrospectives? Conducted every 2-3 weeks instead of every sprint.

?? Tip: Keep standups short (5-10 min) and focus only on blockers and progress.

5. Track Key Metrics for Improvement

Rather than tracking Scrum’s velocity, focus on Kanban-style flow metrics:

• Lead Time: Time from backlog to completion.
• Cycle Time: Time spent actively working on a task.
• Throughput: Number of tasks completed per period.

Best Tools for Scrumban

Here are some great tools to set up a Scrumban board:

• Jira Software – Custom Kanban board with WIP limits.
• Trello – Simple drag-and-drop system.
• ClickUp – Offers detailed automation.
• Monday.com – Great for collaboration.
• Notion – Lightweight project tracking.

Final Thoughts

Scrumban is the best choice for teams looking to combine the structure of Scrum with the flexibility of Kanban. It helps you:

? Improve workflow efficiency. ? Minimize unnecessary meetings. ? Prioritize dynamically without sprint lock-ins. ? Reduce bottlenecks through WIP limits.

If your team struggles between structured sprints and continuous delivery, give Scrumban a try! ??

"If you don't agree Comment and share your experience with Scrum, Kanban, or Scrumban!" ??

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