Comparing agile frameworks is an important step in deciding which will work best for your organization’s project. Agile frameworks like Scrum, lean, or kanban are widely used in many industries. Each has its own focus, features, process, benefits, and drawbacks. Here is a quick comparison to help you decide which will work best for your next project.
Let’s take a closer look at three popular agile frameworks and how they compare to make it easier to choose which to use for your next project.
| SCRUM | LEAN | KANBAN | |
| Definition | A predefined and recurring set of rules, roles, and processes used to expedite the release of higher-quality products. | The manufacturing and technology principles that are used to reduce waste and increase learning and integrity. | A visual framework that is meant to encourage continuous improvement and involves the use of visual workflows to limit work in progress and match requirements to the ability to deliver. |
| Industries | Originally applied to software development but now applied within many other industries. | Originally applied within the manufacturing industry, but now applied within many others. | Originally applied within the manufacturing supply chain process, but now applied within many other industries. |
| Primary focus | Focuses on expediting product turnaround and improving quality. | Focuses on eliminating waste (anything that adds no value), system improvements, learning, and process integrity. | Focuses on the tasks and improving the processes. |
| Need determined by push or pull system | Based on a customer pull system (customer pulls when a need exists). | Based on a customer pull system (customer pulls when a need exists). | Based on a customer pull system (customer pulls when a need exists). |
| Prioritizing work and work in progress (WIP) | Uses backlog to prioritize future work in progress (WIP). | WIP prioritization is triggered exactly when a customer’s need is determined. | Work in progress (WIP) is matched with a team’s ability to deliver. |
| Collaboration | Requires highly self-organizing teams. | Requires sophisticated processes and precise team collaboration. | Requires less management oversight and highly self-organizing teams. |
| The development process | Uses formal sprints (repeatable work cycles) with specific roles assigned. | Uses formal processes and team roles. | No formal sprints or specific roles are required. |
| Flexibility | More formal/less flexible. | More precise processes. | Highly flexible. |
| Timelines | 2 – 4 week timelines for each sprint. | There is no specific timeline, but the process should be streamlined. | There is no pre-determined timeline, but work is broken down and displayed visually. |
| Meetings | Limited to 15 minutes/day. | As early and often as required to address issues promptly. | Meetings are as needed. |
| Changes to requirements | Changes to requirements during sprints are avoided. | Changes are identified and resolved as they arise within the process. | Flexibility allows for changes throughout the process. |
| Roles | Three roles are key to success (scrum master, product owner, and scrum team). | Teams align based on common goals and work closely together. | There are no specific roles. |
| Measures success | Based on the speed of delivery and improved quality. | Based on the use of a just-in-time flow/fast turnaround. | Based on the process duration. |
Other options
It’s important to note that these agile frameworks can be combined to provide hybrid solutions such as the two below. This approach increases the chances of success by combining the best of two frameworks.
Scrumban
Uses scrum as the method to do the actual work, yet uses kanban as the method to seek and gain in the way of continuous improvements.
Leanban
Uses lean as the way to combine the best components of kanban and scrum practices to deliver the most sustainable value as fast as possible.
When thinking about your next project, weigh and prioritize the criteria above carefully to make sure the framework focus is in alignment with the goals. Also, factor in the business and team structure and capabilities, as well as flexibility, among other things.
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