As project management has evolved over the years, so has the tools project managers use to manage teams and projects. Even with all the different pieces of software available to project managers, there is still the need to choose a project management methodology. Two of the most popular are Kanban and Agile workflows. Although there are some similarities between them, they are quite different. Below, we will look at both of them and explore their similarities and differences.
What Is Agile?
Agile methodologies call for the continuous development of a product. Because of this, there is usually no set deadline or outcome. This methodology is encouraged for teams that constantly update their products following feedback from either a project manager or their customers.
Agile methodologies are perfect for teams that develop large pieces of software and applications. When working on a project, teams that use agile methodologies can release a bare-bones product and then add features to it as they receive feedback or as users ask for new features, updates, and upgrades.
Since these methodologies rely on a continuous feedback look, there is a lot of communication and collaboration happening between members of a particular team. In this way, all parties involved can work to align their products to the needs of their customers and users.
What Is Kanban?
Kanban is a process that makes heavy use of Kanban boards integrated within a Kanban project management software. The boards and the software display the production workflow. The way they do this is by optimizing the flow and assignment of tasks to members of a team. These boards break down bigger projects into smaller tasks and encourage members of a team to work on one task at a time. Because of this, employees can focus on just one part of the project. The result is a more efficient production workflow and a higher-quality product from the start. Kanbanize is a great example of a Kanban project management tool designed for businesses of all sizes.
Companies that use the Kanban methodology do not usually release first iterations of their software or products; they work on them and then release them completed.
In the Kanban methodology, everything is displayed visually on the board or the software so that team members can see what is being worked on and by who, and what has not yet been assigned. Because everything is right there for every team member to see, it becomes easy to identify flaws and problems in a production workflow.
Kanban can also help team reprioritize tasks when requirements change. Although Kanban methodologies discourage the addition of unnecessary features and tasks, sometimes it becomes necessary as a client’s needs change. Because the Kanban process is not restricted to how it can be set up, it offers more flexibility to teams that need it.
Agile Principles
Agile aims to offer better customer and user satisfaction by always improving a product. This happens through continuous development, deployment, and delivery. Agile is flexible enough to allow changes in the product no matter what stage of the production process.
Agile aims to deliver a working system within two weeks to one month. The timescale is reduced like this to capture new customers in a new industry or niche before anyone else gets into that market or niche.
Agile encourages communication with stakeholders and members of a team. They work together daily to ensure that the project is on track. Agile is focused on technical expertise with agile methodologies calling for sustainable product development.
Kanban Principles
The main Kanban principle is that everything has to organized visually so that assigning tasks becomes easier. When done this way, the production workflow is streamlined as a project manager can see who is working on what. It also lets the project manager assign priority tasks when there is a need for it.
Kanban principles call for leadership qualitiesat every level as every member of the team is responsible for a specific part of the project. It also helps measure performance by counting how many tasks have been completed in a given timeframe and encourages teammates to collaborate to finish the product in time.
The Differences Between Agile and Kanban
While agile works best for projects that have no set time frame and require iteration, Kanban focuses on one task at a time, reducing waste and activities that do not add value.
Agile focuses on breaking entire projects into stages while Kanban prioritizes smaller tasks to deliver features faster. Agile is also able to deliver better products as tests can be done after every iteration to catch bugs before changes or other updates go out to users and customers.
While Kanban can be though as part of agile methodologies, there are some differences between the two. The methodology you use will depend on your team and how your company works. Just ensure that you choose the methodology that helps you deliver the best product to users and customers in a reasonable amount of time.