Kanban and Agile

Intro

Today, basically any person has a chance to create something without having to be an artist, builder, or architect. Recently, the modern world has made a big shift toward technology, this way creating an entirely new dimension, the world of software.

For some, this micro-universe might seem obscure and mazy, although others see this world as some kind of sandbox. Those people are developers, and just like any creator, they need guidance to show the best performance. Today, we will talk about one of the most important keys to any early-stage start-up’s success. Selecting the workflow management method.

The two most widespread methods: Kanban and Agile

Workflow management is the act of designing and improving data routes in order to accomplish items in a particular process. Workflow management consists of identifying unnecessary activities, sketching out the optimal workflow, automating the process, and identifying roadblocks or areas for improvement. Now, let’s take a closer look at the two most widely used methods in the software development industry.

Kanban

This method heavily relies on a visual representation. To have a better understanding of what Kanban is, you’ll need to imagine a board where the further milestones for a team will be placed in a form of a sticker. The simplicity of genius! You’ve probably already seen this method used before but never had an idea of how exactly this one is called. The Kanban Method is based on a set of ideas and practices to manage and optimize workflow.

You can start your Kanban Board experiment by simply writing down three fundamental columns on the sticker board. Usually, those columns are: “Requested”, “In Progress” and “Done”. Later, they will serve as a marker of progress already made by the team. The Kanban board technique enables work to be reprioritized based on the demands of stakeholders. As work progresses from one state to the next, some more work might be added to keep the pace steady. Kanban provides flexibility to the developers and requires the team to work as a unit.

Agile

Agile methodology, on the other hand, represents a collection of iterative software development techniques in which deliverables and solutions grow via cooperation among self-organizing teams. This method provides flexibility not only to the team members but also requires the company itself to be adaptive and always ready to change.

It is regulated by the Agile Manifesto that was founded by a group of fourteen software industry leaders, which represents their knowledge of what techniques work and do not work for the software development process. Throughout the SDLC life cycle, Agile methodology encourages continual iteration of development and testing. Agile also involves the collaboration of stakeholders and developers in order to align the product with their consumer requirements and organizational goals, thus creating good communication based on a feedback system in the team.

The key differences between the two methods

While it’s debatable whether Kanban can be identified as the Agile method, those two are definitely not the same and have a lot of differences. For example:

Goals

Kanban

The major goal is to reduce waste and eliminate tasks that offer no value to the team.

Agile

Setting the final goal according to the product’s owner.

Special Features

Kanban

• Shorter cycle times allow speedier delivery of features.
• Kanban Boards help in observing the workflow.
• QA is engaged in every stage of a project to ensure that the system is tested under development on a regular basis.

Agile

• The Agile method uses Iterative Development as one of its pillars.
• Emphasis on frequent communication and a well-organized feedback system.
• Shorter planning phases allow your team to easily handle changes at any point throughout project management.
• Testing after each iteration aids the team in swiftly locating and resolving bugs.

Planning and Preparations

Kanban

To get started, relatively few organizational changes are required.

Agile

Sprint planning sometimes takes up a whole day of the Agile-based team’s work.

Direct Comparison

To sum up, no framework is superior to another. Your choice should depend on the project that your team is working on. Both Kanban and Agile have their own set of benefits and drawbacks, and which one you choose should be determined by your team’s working style. Nevertheless, remember that the Agile methods are usually more organized and use a more strict approach, whereas Kanban allows for greater flexibility. If your project must be completed by a specific date, Agile is the way to go, but if you are not in a rush, Kanban will suffice.

What method works better for early-stage start-ups?

Due to the ever-changing nature of start-ups, our opinion is that the more flexible the method is, the better. This way, Kanban would probably suit the majority of start-ups regardless of niche. As we have mentioned before, Kanban is the epitome of the saying “the simplicity of genius”, which means that to try the Kanban method out all you need is just a board, a couple of stickers, markers, and the final goal of your project. And, of course, you need strong team chemistry in order to come up with the most effective and optimized milestones!

Now, take a look at the main advantages of Kanban compared to other methods:

• Everyone in the team can use the Kanban Board, which builds a sense of communal responsibility. This sense of ownership is especially crucial for early-stage businesses since teams are tiny and everyone should be equally and fully invested in the process.
• QA’s workflow is optimized throughout the entire working process, unlike the Agile method, where QA is extensively overworked at the end of the project.
• Less rush means less stress for a team and potentially higher quality of the final result.
• Kanban Board can be fun. Allow your team to be creative, using interesting drawings, vibrant marker colors, etc. Practice combining work and play!

Conclusion

Last but not least, Kanban is great because rather than concentrating on WHEN something will be completed, it focuses on the most essential deliverables and what is required to achieve them in the most effective manner possible.

Unlike Agile methods, which have a certain release milestone for each sprint, Kanban allows for a more flexible production schedule. Companies can easily react to changes and reorganize workflow steps in this manner and it’s extremely important for any start-up, especially at the early stage!