Article

Scrumban vs Kanban: Which Framework Is Right For Your Team?

April 23, 2025

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Emily May

You know your team needs a better way to manage work. Scrumban and Kanban are both popular agile frameworks that might be at the top of your list. But how do you decide which one will actually support your team’s goals?

This article is your introductory guide to scrumban vs kanban. We explore the basics of each framework, highlight key differences and use cases, and provide tips to choose the best fit for your team.

What Is Scrumban?

Scrumban is a blend of the scrum and kanban frameworks. Before we explore scrumban, let’s revisit scrum. 

Scrum calls for defining team roles and responsibilities, including a product owner, a scrum master, and the team. All work is planned and completed within defined time boxes, called sprints. Scrum teams also participate in several scrum ceremonies throughout the sprint, including sprint planning, daily scrum, sprint review, sprint retrospective, and backlog refinement. 

The scrumban methodology allows teams to visualize their workflow with a kanban board and utilize select scrum processes that meet their needs. Scrumban keeps parts of the scrum structure but adds more flexibility for managing work in progress. For example, roles, planning, and meetings don’t have to match scrum guidelines perfectly. 

For more information on the scrumban framework, read this article: What is Scrumban? | Everything you need to know

What Is Kanban?

Simplified Kanban board with columns labeled “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done,” illustrating a visual workflow management system.

Kanban is a visual project management system. It involves using a kanban board to track work across columns. These columns may include ‘to do,’ ‘in progress,’ and ‘done.’ Cards represent each task on the kanban board. Team members move these cards across the columns as they complete work. 

The flow-based kanban board can be digital or physical. Some teams use digital tools like Jira or Trello. Others use sticky notes on a wall or a whiteboard. To ensure there aren’t too many projects being worked on simultaneously, teams utilize work-in-progress limits, also known as WIP limits. The WIP limit is a key differentiator and trademark element of Kanban.

For an in-depth explanation of the kanban methodology, read this article: Intro to Kanban: What It Is, How It Works, Benefits, and Core Principles.

Scrumban vs Kanban: What’s the Difference?

Comparison chart outlining the differences between scrumban and kanban across structure, planning, workflow, roles, metrics, and team fit.

Both scrumban and kanban can help teams visualize work and stay organized. To choose a suitable workflow for your team, you first need to understand the differences between the two. This section explores four key differences between scrumban and kanban.

Project Planning

Project Planning with Scrumban:

The scrumban framework doesn’t adhere to all scrum planning principles. It’s up to the scrumban team to decide which scrum elements are helpful. Most scrumban teams work in sprints, a central aspect of the scrum framework. Project planning often occurs at the beginning of the sprint cycle while utilizing WIP limits to manage workflow. 

Scrumban works well for teams that don’t want to commit to all scrum events, but find it helpful to work iteratively on a fixed cadence, hold planning sessions, and occasional check-ins.

Project Planning with Kanban:

The kanban approach to project planning supports a continuous flow of work. With no set planning schedule, teams can start new work as needed. Work-in-progress limits ensure that team members don’t have too many tasks at once. 

This project management style lets fast-paced teams shift priorities without being tied to rigid plans.

Roles & Responsibilities

Illustration of two people interacting with a large kanban-style board, organizing tasks.

Roles & Responsibilities in Scrumban:

Scrumban teams have the option to define roles from the scrum framework. They may outline some scrum roles or none at all. Alternatively, some scrumban teams may designate department leaders or sprint leaders to oversee project management.

The option to define roles can be an asset to teams that thrive with a clear leadership structure.

Roles & Responsibilities in Kanban:

Teams aren’t required to define roles using the kanban framework. Instead, teams self-organize how they see fit. Instead of one person monitoring the workflow, all employees take ownership of their work to move it across the finish line. Everyone is also involved in suggesting ways to improve the workflow.

For teams that value autonomy and flexibility, kanban may be a solution.

Measuring Performance

Measuring Performance in Scrumban:

A scrumban team may leverage kanban metrics and scrum-style metrics. Some standard scrum metrics for measuring performance include:

  • Velocity
  • Lead time
  • Throughput

Scrum metrics highlight efficiency and output. In combination with the kanban metrics below, a blended approach is useful for teams that want to balance how much they get done with workflow efficiency.

Measuring Performance in Kanban:

The kanban method highlights how work moves across the board. Metrics that complement this goal may include:

  • Flow efficiency
  • Cycle time
  • Work-in-progress (WIP) limits

These measures help identify bottlenecks, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. Kanban metrics can be helpful for teams interested in the continuous improvement of their workflow.

Team Use Cases for Scrumban and Kanban

There’s no “right” approach to project management. We strongly recommend choosing a framework based on your current unique circumstances. Below are a few use cases for scrumban and kanban.

Scrumban Use Cases

This framework may be a good fit for teams that are:

  • Scaling rapidly
  • Prioritizing cross-functional collaboration
  • Transitioning from the scrum framework to a more flexible approach
  • Wanting to adopt scrum and kanban practices to fit team needs

Consider scrumban if your team needs a balanced workflow that enables flexible planning, structure, and rapid delivery.

Kanban Use Cases

This framework may be a good fit for teams that are:

  • Managing a steady stream of new and ongoing work
  • Prioritizing speed and flow over structured planning
  • Working in fast-paced environments like customer support or IT
  • Encouraging shared responsibility without defined roles
  • Managing work at the portfolio level with portfolio kanban

Consider kanban if your team needs a flexible workflow that supports ongoing work, shifting priorities, and steady delivery without needing detailed planning.

Choosing the Right Framework for Your Team

Illustration of a team collaborating around a table with a decision-making icon showing two arrows and a question mark.

Quick Tips

Start with an agile mindset. Scrumban and kanban are both agile frameworks. However, agility starts with your team's frame of mind and how you approach work together. Learn more about how to develop an agile mindset here. 

Your workflow can (and should) evolve. Teams change. Priorities shift. It’s normal to grow out of a framework. Adapt your workflow to meet current needs.

Customize frameworks to fit your team. Utilize framework guidelines that make sense for your team and skip those that don't. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. 

Stay curious. Try new ways to improve value delivery and workflow. Evaluate and analyze results regularly. Experiment with project management tool options:

Have open conversations. Ask your team about what is and isn’t working. Seek advice from professionals in your network. 

Questions to Consider

  • What are your current delivery goals? 
  • How often do your project priorities change?
  • How much structure or flexibility do you prefer in the planning process?
  • Does your team benefit from clear roles or shared ownership?
  • What’s your team's meeting culture?

Conclusion

Scrumban and kanban both offer unique advantages. Scrumban is a hybrid approach that combines elements of the scrum and kanban frameworks. This workflow suits teams that thrive with structure while prioritizing flexibility and customer value delivery. 

In contrast, kanban is a visual project management workflow that offers a simple, flow-based system designed to handle shifting priorities with minimal planning. Neither framework is “best.” Instead, evaluate your team’s current needs, priorities, and working style to make a decision. Remember: as your organization evolves, so will your workflow.

Sharpen your team’s workflow with our Agile Project and Delivery Management class. You’ll learn how to deliver projects iteratively, track progress effectively, support your team’s growth, and continuously improve the process.

Download the Agile Project and Delivery Management learning outcomes to learn more.

See you in class. 

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TAGGED AS:
Value Delivery, Foundations, Agile Fundamentals, Business Agility Foundations, Delivery Management, Agile Project and Delivery Management, Delivery at Scale, Expert in Delivery Management, Product Ownership, Agile Product Ownership, Enterprise Product Ownership, Expert in Product Ownership, Product Management

About the author

Emily May | ICAgile, Marketing Specialist
Emily May is a Marketing Specialist at ICAgile, where she helps educate learners on their agile journey through content. With an eclectic background in communications supporting small business marketing efforts, she hopes to inspire readers to initiate more empathy, productivity, and creativity in the workplace for improved internal and external outcomes.

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