Key takeaways
Scrumban is an Agile project management framework focusing on flexibility, data visualization, and speed. As the name implies, it’s a mix of Scrum and kanban.
Perhaps most prominent is Scrumban’s use of two-week work cycles called iterations. This short turnaround differs from Scrum’s four-week sprints and Kanban’s cavalier approach to time altogether. As a result, Scrumban is reserved for fast-paced teams that have generous wiggle room when solving problems.
Let’s dive in to see if Scrumban is right for you.
In this article...
How does Scrumban work?
Scrumban revolves around visualizing tasks and a project’s progress. This eyeball-friendly approach is borrowed from kanban.
Indeed, Scrumban’s more relaxed approach affords workers a greater say in progress. However, there are still formal stages on the road to project completion.
Initial planning meeting
To get started with Scrumban, a team holds an initial planning meeting. During this get-together, a list of short-term tasks is developed. These to-do items are portioned into two-week increments, known as “iterations.” Long-term goals may also get spelled out, but it’s optional.
Staff members are encouraged to choose their own tasks from the predetermined list. This independence is referred to as the “pull principle.” As people complete items, they may autonomously select their next piece of work. This freedom is a hallmark trait of Scrumban.
Data visualization
Another key trait is Scrumban’s visualization of project progress. Known as a Scrumban board, this chart arranges tasks and ideas by timeframe and status.
Usually, immediate, top priority to-do items are placed in a three-month “bucket,” or group. Six-month and one-year buckets are also employed.
Once tasks are assigned, workers track progress using three status buckets: backlog, work in progress, and completed. Each person is expected to update the board on their own.
Teams craft boards on traditional whiteboards or via software. Some digital platforms include monday.com, Trello, and Jira.
Read Also: Trello vs. Jira
Planning triggers
The team collectively monitors the number of tasks relative to the time left in the iteration. A “planning trigger” occurs when too many or too few work items remain. This trigger prompts a spontaneous meeting to fix this imbalance between to-dos and time. Elements from the three- or six-month bucket may unexpectedly move to “work in progress” as a result.
This on-the-fly collaboration is particularly important because Scrumban doesn’t otherwise mandate any meetings beyond the initial planning session.
Feature freeze
As the project nears its deadline, restrictions are placed on tasks. In particular, the team may only complete work-in-progress and high-priority items. All other goals in the Scrumban board’s buckets are shelved.
This drawdown, known as a feature freeze, ensures things are wrapped up on time. It’s particularly crucial because of Scrumban’s lack of a centralized planner. In the absence of restrictions, workers will keep taking on more tasks independently.
How is Scrumban different from Scrum?
Think of Scrumban as a more flexible and faster-paced alternative to Scrum. It doesn’t dictate a specific amount of meetings or team members. Plus, there are no set roles, which allows anyone to tackle tasks with less red tape.
Scrumban vs. Scrum
Concept
Scrumban
Scrum
Team roles
None
Scrum Master, Product Owner, Development Team
Number of team members
12 or fewer recommended
Between 5–10 members recommended
Meetings (“ceremonies”) required
Initial planning meeting—no others required
Initial planning meeting, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective
Work time frame
2 weeks or less per “iteration”
2–4 weeks per “sprint”
Task changes
Tasks may be modified, canceled, or rescheduled on the fly
Tasks are rigid and reliably executed to completion
One key difference is the tempo of work. Scrumban promotes speed. Indeed, each work cycle, known as an “iteration,” lasts only two weeks or less. Plus, tasks may change dramatically to meet deadlines. In contrast, Scrum discourages substantial task changes while encouraging four weeks per “sprint.” That’s twice as long!
The reason for this short duration goes back to Scrumban’s flexibility. It’s an ideal framework for constantly evolving projects. And with neither formal roles nor prescribed meetings, team members focus more on work. The result is a shorter deadline since less time is burned on meetings and bureaucracy.
Who should use Scrumban?
Teams that value flexibility, spontaneity, and autonomy are ideal candidates for Scrumban. Indeed, it’s a superb option if you like making decisions on the fly.
Beyond these liberal traits, the framework is best for visual learners. If you like the idea of a giant whiteboard where people can spell out accomplishments, Scrumban is your soulmate.
Let’s analyze a few other perfect candidates for Scrumban:
Bottom line, Scrumban is best for experienced teams desiring creativity, autonomy, and a visual project roadmap.
When should Scrumban not be used?
Highly rigid teams with strict protocols should avoid Scrumban. This categorization includes heavily regulated industries. For example, the relatively freewheeling framework would not suit HIPAA-compliant healthcare companies.
Scrumban also requires deep interpersonal trust and some autonomy to work. These traits are evident in the framework’s disregard for the formalities seen in Scrum. As a result, you shouldn’t use the framework if your team requires constant oversight.
Here are some other situations Scrumban wouldn’t suit:
These scenarios are only some circumstances that make Scrumban ill-advised. But generally speaking, if your team isn’t equipped for independence, spontaneity, and a creative, fast-paced approach to work, you’re best looking elsewhere.
Consider Scrumban if it makes sense for you
Scrumban is a more flexible and less formal alternative to Scrum. It also includes elements of Kanban. With these hybrid traits in mind, no roles or meetings are required, and work cycles last two weeks or less. And luckily for visual learners, the project management framework revolves around a chart known as a Scrumban board.
Despite these advantages, Scrumban isn’t for everyone. Heavily regulated industries, teams lacking experience, and preferences for highly predictable workloads are a few scenarios where the framework won’t succeed.
Scrumban FAQ
Related articles
- What Is Scrum?
- How to Use Agile Project Management Software for Client Work
- 6 Customizable Software Tools for Agile Project Management
Featured project management partners
1 monday.com
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