Comparison of Project Management Methodologies: Agile, Scrum and Kanban

In the digital age, project management has become a critical area for the success of any organization. Agile methodologies have gained popularity, offering flexibility and adaptability in changing environments. Among these, Scrum and Kanban are two approaches that are often compared due to their visual and collaborative focus. However, there are fundamental differences in their application and practice that are important to explore. What is Agile? Agile is not a methodology in itself, but a philosophical framework that advocates for incremental delivery and continuous collaboration within the team. At the heart of this philosophy is the Agile Manifesto, which prioritizes individuals and interactions over processes and tools, as well as responding to change over following a predefined plan. Advantages of Agile: - Adaptability: Enables teams to respond quickly to changes in customer requirements. - Continuous Improvement: Encourages short iterations to incorporate constant feedback. - Collaboration: Promotes open communication among all team members. However, Agile also has its disadvantages. Certain situations demand rigid structures and well-defined processes.

Scrum: Structure within Agility

Scrum is a specific methodology within the Agile framework that focuses on the effective time management. It is designed for complex projects, where teams are organized into specific roles such as Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team. Management is carried out through sprints or short cycles (generally between 2 and 4 weeks) with daily meetings that allow all project members to remain aligned.

Comparison between Scrum and Kanban

Criteria	Scrum	Kanban
Temporal structure	Based on sprints	System Continuous
Change of requirements	Not during a sprint	Allows continuous changes
Workload	Fixed amount per sprint	Continuous flow without fixed limits
Defined functions	Specific roles established	May vary depending on the context

Advantages and disadvantages of Scrum

- Advantages:

  - Clear and well-defined structure allows for greater control.

  - Encourages teamwork through specific roles.

- Disadvantages:

  - Rigidity in the face of abrupt changes during a sprint.

  - It may be excessive for smaller or less complex projects.

Kanban: Visual Flexibility

On the other hand, Kanban is a methodology that is mainly based on visualizing the workflow using boards. Each task is represented as a card that moves through different stages until its completion. Unlike Scrum, Kanban is not limited by sprints, allowing for a more fluid approach to managing tasks and responding to change.

Kanban Attributes

• - Clear visualization of the current state of the work.

• - Flexibility to incorporate new work without significant disruptions.

• - Less need for rigid planning or formal retrospectives.

Kanban Difficulties

• - Lack of structure can result in ambiguities regarding priorities.

• - It is easy to fall into the chaos trap if work-in-progress (WIP) boundaries are not properly managed.

Critical Analysis: Which Which to choose?

There is no universal answer to the question of which methodology is best. The choice between Scrum and Kanban depends primarily on the type of project, the characteristics of the team involved, and the existing organizational culture. In situations where there is high uncertainty and constant innovation is needed, Agile may be preferable. However, when rigorous control and very specific tasks are required, the structures provided by Scrum may be more beneficial. For its part, Kanban seems ideal for continuous flows where priorities change frequently but constant visibility is required.
According to a study by Highsmith (2009), teams that implemented agile methodologies reported significant improvements in job satisfaction and performance. However, it was also observed that some teams found initial difficulties adapting to these more dynamic environments.