TasksBoard Kanban vs Scrum
Kanban and Scrum both use visual boards, but they work very differently. This guide breaks down the key differences so you can choose the right approach and start shipping work today.
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| Feature | Kanban | Scrum |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed iterations (sprints) Fixed iterations (sprints) | Optional | |
| WIP limits WIP limits | ||
| Defined roles (Scrum Master, PO) Defined roles (Scrum Master, PO) | ||
| Backlog grooming ceremonies Backlog grooming ceremonies | ||
| Continuous delivery Continuous delivery | Between sprints | |
| Flow metrics (cycle time, throughput) Flow metrics (cycle time, throughput) | ||
| Velocity tracking Velocity tracking | ||
| Board customization Board customization | Sprint columns only | |
| Works for support / ops teams Works for support / ops teams | ||
| Works for product feature dev Works for product feature dev |
Kanban optimizes flow; Scrum optimizes predictable delivery. Compare each practice with screenshots and sourced references.
Kanban has no required sprint cadence. Work flows continuously through columns as capacity allows.
Scrum organizes work into time-boxed Sprints, typically 1–4 weeks, with a committed Sprint Goal.
It's a tie
Neither is universally better — Kanban suits continuous flow; Scrum suits time-boxed, predictable delivery.
Kanban uses Work-In-Progress limits per column to prevent overload and surface bottlenecks.
Scrum limits work indirectly through Sprint capacity planning rather than per-column WIP caps.
Winner: Kanban
Explicit per-column WIP limits are a core Kanban practice for preventing overload and surfacing bottlenecks.
Sources
Kanban has no mandated roles. The team owns the board and pull-based workflow.
Scrum defines Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Developers with distinct accountabilities.
It's a tie
Kanban needs no fixed roles; Scrum's defined accountabilities help larger teams that want clear structure.
Kanban refines work just-in-time as items approach the top of the backlog column.
Scrum holds regular backlog refinement sessions to prepare items for upcoming Sprints.
It's a tie
Kanban refines just-in-time; Scrum schedules backlog refinement ceremonies — both work, different rhythms.
Sources
Kanban teams release whenever an item is done — no waiting for a sprint boundary.
Scrum typically delivers at the end of each Sprint during the Sprint Review.
Winner: Kanban
Kanban teams ship whenever an item is done; Scrum typically batches delivery at the Sprint Review.
Sources
Kanban tracks cycle time, throughput, and lead time to optimize flow efficiency.
Scrum primarily measures velocity — story points completed per Sprint.
Winner: Kanban
Cycle time, throughput, and lead time give Kanban teams direct flow-efficiency signals.
Sources
Kanban does not use velocity. Flow metrics replace point-based tracking.
Scrum teams track velocity to forecast Sprint capacity and release planning.
Winner: Scrum
Story-point velocity is Scrum's primary forecasting tool — Kanban deliberately avoids velocity tracking.
Kanban boards are fully customizable — add columns, swim lanes, and WIP limits per team.
Scrum boards follow a standard To Do → In Progress → Done pattern tied to Sprint scope.
Winner: Kanban
Kanban boards are fully customizable — columns, swim lanes, and WIP limits per team.
Sources
Kanban excels for interrupt-driven work — support tickets, incidents, and ops queues flow continuously.
Scrum's sprint commitment model fits poorly when urgent items arrive mid-Sprint.
Winner: Kanban
Interrupt-driven support and ops queues flow continuously on Kanban; Scrum's sprint commitment fights mid-sprint urgency.
Sources
Kanban works for feature dev when continuous flow is preferred over batch planning.
Scrum is widely adopted for product teams building features in predictable increments.
Winner: Scrum
Scrum is widely adopted for product teams building features in predictable sprint increments.
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Scrum uses fixed-length sprints with defined roles and ceremonies. Kanban uses a continuous flow model with no mandatory sprints. Scrum is more structured; Kanban is more flexible.
Yes. "Scrumban" is a hybrid approach where teams use Scrum ceremonies but manage workflow with a Kanban board and WIP limits. It is common in teams that want sprint predictability alongside flow visibility.
Kanban is generally simpler for small teams because it has no mandatory roles or ceremonies. A team of two to five people can start a Kanban board immediately without training. Scrum overhead is harder to justify below about five people.
Kanban does not require story points. Instead, it uses flow metrics: cycle time (how long a task takes to complete), throughput (how many tasks are completed per week), and lead time. These metrics are often more actionable than velocity.
Yes. TasksBoard gives you a full-screen Kanban board backed by Google Tasks. You can create columns for any workflow (To Do, In Progress, Done, or custom stages), drag tasks between them, and add due dates that sync to Google Calendar.
Kanban has no required roles. Unlike Scrum, there is no Scrum Master or Product Owner mandated by the method. Teams often designate a flow manager or service delivery manager, but these roles are optional and informal.
Scrum was originally designed for software development, but marketing, HR, and operations teams have adapted it successfully. Kanban adapts even more easily to non-software workflows because it imposes fewer constraints.
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