[Newest] Scrum Board VS Kanban Board

Scrum and Kanban boards are two tools that are widely used in agile teams. However, many people don’t seem to realize that there are some basic differences between them. For this reason, it is important to do a scrum board VS Kanban board comparison to see in more detail how they contribute to a project. The truth is that there are some similar functions between these tools, but there are also some differences that set them apart.

This scrum board VS Kanban board comparison gets even more important if you are a manager and you are trying to figure out which is the best tool for your team. In this article, you are going to learn what each one of these tools is and make a proper decision. Then, you can also find a tool that may aid you in future business. Stay tuned.

What Are They

What Is a Scrum Board

The first step of the scrum board VS Kanban board comparison is to understand these terms. Scrum is an agile framework that is used to help teams deal with complex projects. The main focus of a scrum board is sprints, which in essence are short-term development cycles. This allows the team to focus on smaller parts of the project and by completing each one to achieve their goal.

What a scrum board does is that it allows you to get a visual representation of all the tasks that need to be done in a particular sprint. Therefore, it can lead to a greater organization that can boost productivity. There is no denying that in the scrum board VS Kanban board discussion, it is important to recognize the needs of each project separately.

What Is a Kanban Board

The second term of the scrum board VS Kanban board discussion is the Kanban board. This word originates from the Japanese language and it means billboard or sign. Kanban is another agile framework that helps teams track the progress of a project. Where it distinguishes itself though is that it considers the bigger picture.

What a Kanban board does is that it visualizes the workflow and tries to create a limit to the in-progress tasks. This way, you won’t need to keep track of the insignificant tasks, and at the same time, you won’t just look at the bigger ones. By using a Kanban board, your team will need to find a way to minimize the time between completing these tasks so that new ones become available.

Scrum Board Vs. Kanban Board

Now that you know the terms in the scrum board VS Kanban board comparison, it is time to talk about their specifics. The scrum board VS Kanban board discussion wouldn’t be complete without going through the similarities and differences of these tools, as well as their pros and cons.

1. Similarities

As you may have noticed, the scrum board VS Kanban board comparison shows that there is some overlap between these tools. These similarities are the following:

• Both of these tools are using sticky note elements to show the tasks.
• Both tools are divided into columns that show the backlog, in progress, and completed tasks.
• Both are concerned about the scheduling of the tasks.
• Both of these tools segment the project into smaller pieces so that it moves faster.
• Both tools enhance self-organization as every team member can check the tasks that need to be completed.

These similarities are essential in the scrum board VS Kanban board discussion as they show how these tools work in a similar manner.

2. Differences

Despite the many common elements between these tools, the scrum board VS Kanban board comparison also shows some differences. These originate from the fact that both tools have different approaches to the management of the project. The differences that come up in the scrum board VS Kanban board debate are the following:

• Scrum boards focus on sprints that have specific deadlines, while Kanban boards work without a fixed timetable.
• Scrum is more fast-paced as it works on smaller sections of the project, whereas Kanban boards change slowly.
• Team members need to faithfully follow the tasks assigned to them in a scrum board. On the other hand, they have more freedom when it comes to tasks on a Kanban board.

Pros and Cons of Each

After examining the similarities and differences between these tools, it would be beneficial to talk about the advantages and drawbacks of each one. This way, you decide which framework suits your agile team the best.

Scrum Board

Pros

• It’s a collaborative tool that will bring your team together.
• It lets you check the progress of the sprint at a glance since its layout is clearly defined.
• You can instantly provide feedback to your team members.
• It breaks down a complex project into smaller sprints.
• It provides a clear visual representation of the tasks.

Cons

• Scrum boards require a level of familiarization with the tool to be successful.
• Team members need to commit to the tasks.
• Each task needs to be precisely defined.

Kanban Board

Pros

• A Kanban board is more flexible as it can change the priority of a task depending on how it affects the project.
• It is an easy-to-understand tool that team members can quickly learn how to use.
• The tasks aren’t assigned to a specific team member, and so, more members can collaborate to complete them more quickly.

Cons

• The lack of specific deadlines might make the task last longer.
• Not ideal for big teams since it might lead to confusion.
• It might easily get overcomplicated.

How to Choose Between Scrum Board and Kanban Board

Taking this scrum board VS Kanban board comparison, it is easy to understand that each tool has its strengths and drawbacks. However, in many cases, you will have to select one of them to implement in your project.

The first thing that you need to consider is the complexity of your project. If you are dealing with something big, then working on a scrum board might benefit you since you will be asked to divide it into sprints. On the other hand, if you want to have the bigger picture in mind, a Kanban board will be better for you.

Another thing that you must keep in mind is the size of your team. If you are trying to organize a large team and specify which tasks each member should take up, then you must choose a scrum board.

However, we must also mention that you have the option of using both tools. Of course, this might need a level of familiarization with at least one of these methodologies.

Bonus: A Great Whiteboard Tool You Can Never Miss – Boardmix

No matter which tool is the best for your project, there is an app that can contribute to the collaboration of your team. This app is none other than Boardmix, which is an online collaborative whiteboard that comes with a variety of useful tools.

Boardmix is the ideal tool for supporting your team in every step of the project, from brainstorming to product design and strategizing. And to make things even better, every member of your team can contribute by adding resources, creating diagrams, or giving feedback. All of the changes are visible in real-time, thus boosting the efficiency of the team.

The Bottom Line

The scrum board VS Kanban board discussion is a broad subject. Some managers prefer one methodology to the other. However, the truth is that both tools can be useful depending on the team and the project. Either way, Boardmix is the perfect app to help your team members get inspired and cultivate their productivity. Try the online tool today to discover its potential.