Kanban is Coming to Town!
Heyo! Holidays are around the corner. And although this issue is all about Kanban, let’s make it a little more festive (but not too much).
Agile Matinée is a fortnightly dispatch curated by Panaxeo, one Agile topic at a time. We bribe five Agile enthusiasts with croissants and expect them to collect interesting and read-worthy content in return. This one talks about Kanban!
Kanban's favorite carol is "Deck the Boards with WIP Limits." Why? Because it knows that too many tasks without limits can lead to a disaster! It checks its list twice, making sure each task gets just enough attention.
In this issue, we’re going to explore the main differences between Kanban and Scrum and when to use one over the other. We’ve prepared lots of practical examples and case studies for you, you’re welcome for that.
And since Kanban is sort of related to Flow, some Flow resources are waiting for you too. So, have a seat and make yourself comfy.
It’s time to dive into Kanban.
01.
Kanban vs. Scrum
(7-min read)
Let’s get this off the table right away – no, Kanban and Scrum are not the same. Yes, they can complement each other. In fact, they can complement each other so well it’s gonna make you cry.
That’s the bottom line. Click the button below to have it explained much better than our little paragraph ever could.
02.
When does Kanban sparkle Brighter Than Scrum?
(4-min read)
How do you deal with the differences?
Brendan Wovchko, an expert in both methodologies, knows that Kanban and Scrum are not enemies. Listen to his wisdom on when Kanban shines brighter. He’ll give you five conditions where it outshines Scrum.
Arm your team with the knowledge to decide for themselves which approach to pick.
03.
Kanban examples brimming with efficient workflows
(5-min read)
Still unconvinced? Have a practical example or two, why don’t you?
In a true Holiday fashion, cozy up with a cup of hot cocoa and let these Kanban examples be your guiding star through the winter wonderland of efficient workflows.
04.
Christmas shopping
(20-min read)
And another case study where Kanban beats Scrum.
At NET-A-PORTER, they attempted to meet their production deadlines using Scrum. The fixed timeframes felt like trying to squeeze a reindeer through a chimney! Kanban with its WIP limits was much more appropriate in this case.
See how nicely it all ties back to letting the team work out which approach to pick?
Don’t get a false idea that Scrum always sucks and Kabnan always wins, though. It’s just that in some cases, in some teams, in some setups, Kanban might just taste a little better. That’s all it is – a matter of taste.
05.
Minimize team cognitive load to boost software flow!
(10-min read)
What happens when teams get overloaded and turn grumpy? You best check that cognitive load, because overloading reduces efficiency.
Measure it first and dole out responsibilities accordingly. More work will get done, the team will be under less stress, everyone wins, everyone is happy.
Just like in this case study from OutSystems:
06.
What the F(low)?
(Holiday reading list)
Did the mere mention of Flow pique your interest?
Yeah, it sort of ties into all this Kanban stuff. If you’re eager to delve deeper into Team Topologies, Principles of Product Development Flow, or Flow Scaling, here you go.
A reading list for the Holidays:
📖 Kanban Pocket Guide
📖 Team Topologies
📖 The Principles of Product Development Flow
📖 Scaling Simplified
Social radar
What does it mean that Kanban is focus & flow? Aleš Pilný has gathered 10 “did-you-know” Kanban facts that highlight how Kanban dances to the rhythm of diverse organizational needs.
Bonus video
Henrik Kniberg unveils the secrets of optimizing your workflow in a way your grandma would understand. (Try it and send us proof.)
We are taking a Holiday pause
That means you won’t be getting any new issues in few weeks. Don’t cry though. Go enjoy your Holidays.
We’ll see you again in January! Oh, and unless you want to miss our next digest, follow us on LinkedIn or share this post with your friends and frenemies!
Hasta la Agilista, baby!