Scrumban

What is Scrumban?

Scrumban is a hybrid project management method that combines elements of Scrum and Kanban. It was initially developed to help teams transition from Scrum to a more flexible workflow using Kanban principles. Over time, it has evolved into its own distinct framework. It blends the structured, sprint-based planning of Scrum with the visual task management and continuous flow of Kanban. This approach enables teams to maintain agile practices while adapting to real-world work demands that may not align with fixed-length sprints.

Scrumban is especially useful for teams that need to manage unpredictable workloads or ongoing maintenance tasks. It supports continuous improvement and encourages team collaboration through regular stand-ups, board reviews, and cycle time tracking. While it borrows from both parent methodologies, it does not enforce strict rules, allowing for greater adaptability.

Key Points

• Combines Scrum’s iterative planning with Kanban’s visual workflow and flow efficiency.
• Uses a task board with columns such as “To Do,” “Doing,” and “Done” to track progress.
• Emphasizes continuous delivery rather than fixed sprint cycles.
• Supports work-in-progress (WIP) limits to prevent team overload.
• Encourages regular reviews and retrospective meetings for ongoing improvement.

Related Terms

• Scrum provides the foundation for structured planning and roles within Scrumban.
• Kanban introduces continuous flow and visual task tracking elements to the hybrid system.
• Work-in-progress (WIP) limits help control the amount of work a team handles simultaneously.
• Cycle time is an important metric used in Scrumban to measure task completion speed.
• Lean principles guide many of the efficiency practices used within this methodology.

Scrumban: Example

A software support team uses Scrumban to manage ongoing customer issues. Instead of planning two-week sprints, the team pulls tasks from a backlog as they arise. A Kanban board helps them track each ticket through stages like “Open,” “Investigating,” “Fixing,” and “Resolved.” Regular team check-ins allow members to adjust priorities and clear any blockers, improving response time and workload balance.

Scrumban: Best Practices

• Set WIP limits to prevent bottlenecks and maintain a steady workflow.
• Use visual boards to increase transparency and team alignment.
• Conduct daily stand-ups to maintain open communication and promptly identify issues.
• Track cycle time to measure performance and improve future planning.
• Regularly review the process to identify areas for adjustment or improvement.

Additional Resources

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