Agile and Kanban are two common project management approaches that are widely used in software development. Though very common, the two methodologies are different and each accrues its benefits to the developer. This article will differentiate the two approaches.
Comparison between Agile and Kanban
Agile is a development approach that divides the project into small manageable levels to hasten the development process. Engineers approach each level with a final goal in mind. The final project is therefore a sum of all small levels combined. It’s also called cross-sectional from the involvement of both the developer and the client.
On the other hand, Kanban is a system that helps run the agile methodology. It is a more visual system where clients can connect with every level of development to note the progress of the whole project.
These two have notable differences as evident in the table:
| AGILE | KANBAN | |
| 1. | An iterative software development approach that divides the project into simpler workable levels | A system using a Kanban board to display the progress of the agile methodology for the client to relate with the progress of their project |
| 2. | Process in agile depends on the storyboard | The process is dependent on the Kanban board |
| 3. | Aimed at supporting Teamwork and effectively achieving the objectives of the project | It aims on giving visual signals to the progress of the project |
| 4. | Breaks the project in smaller modules to ease the workload for developers, achieving gold in the final project | Displays progress in every module to help developers track progress at every step of development |
| 5. | It is technical and quality based | Its basis is on the coordination of the different developers’ groups |
| 6. | There is no visual help on other levels of the project | Allows representation of all levels of the project visually. |
| 7. | Agile follows a structure where Items are planned with a list | Kanban has no structure and only gives backlogs of tasks to be done. |
| 8. | It is iterative in nature, in that, developers can review and improve different levels continuously | This process has no reviews or development but is only concerned with visually representing the work done progressively |
Agile is named as a newer approach to software development in comparison with the traditional waterfall that was linear. It employs both scrum and Kanban systems to effectively give results. Agile is used in businesses to initiate products that can be consumed in bits as well as in their entirety. This approach is beneficial from the transparency it provides from each level and the effective communication achieved between the client and different development groups.
It also has its cons as much as pros. The division of the final project into small chunks might delay the whole project if one stage of development takes longer. The product is also not very effective from the many changes, reviews, and improvement susceptible to it. It is also stressful for the developers to sudden requests in the process of development. They are not given the freedom to deliver since clients are constantly involved through cross-sectional capabilities.
Read also: https://devs.info.ke/portal/how-to-become-a-good-software-engineer/
Kanban on the flip side is beneficial to the team leader rather than the independent developers. It provides the team leader with the progress at each level allowing them to troubleshoot bugs before the final project delivery. With the use of a Kanban board, there is less meeting of developers as everything is visually presented. Its biggest pro is the less structure it offers when in use. Making changes and improvements constantly throughout the development process is also an added advantage of the Kanban system
Finally, choosing what you want to achieve with your project will drive which system or methodology to employ in your projects. It is essential to weigh them before enacting the actual project. Again, consult with the software employees for advice on which methodology would achieve your objectives. It is to have the opinions of those being tasked. If your demand is limited timely, flow with Kanban to track every level and hasten modules producing backlogs and bloats.