The Scrumban method in IT development projects

What is the Scrumban method?

Its name speaks for itself: the Scrumban method is an agile method which combines the advantages of the Scrum method and the Kanban method. Its approach is framed in the same way as the Scrum method and makes it possible to manage projects in a continuous flow using Kanban.

Scrumban operates on a schedule based on customer demand. Requests are prioritized as a project progresses.

The Scrumban method works with the principle of development iterations (similar to sprints). There is no notion of a sprint backlog. The product owner sends the tasks to be developed to the team as soon as developers complete their current tasks.

Prioritization of tasks is done in real time, in order to deliver maximum value to users as soon as possible. Visualizing the progress of tasks takes place on the Kanban board.

The Scrumban approach maintains all Scrum Method meetings without exception, so you always have access to a certain organizational framework for the team.

What is the makeup of a Kanban team?

Like the Kanban Method, the Scrumban Method does not place particular emphasis on the roles assigned to team members. It’s easy to either keep the roles indicated by the Scrum method or to reconfigure them.

Reminder of the key roles of the Scrum method:

• The Scrum Master (or agile coach),
• The product owner,
• The team of developers.

As with each of the agile methods detailed so far, it’s important to emphasize that team members should be autonomous and empowered. It is ultimately up to them to choose the tasks they will perform according to their specializations.

How does a Scrumban team work?

The Scrumban method works through teamwork that relies on a visual board (we opt to use a Kanban visualization board). It’s an iterative, incremental and adaptive method.

Like the Scrum method, the Scrumban method works under the principle of iterations that are defined at the start of the project. The duration of an iteration, similar to a development sprint, is measured in weeks and should not exceed two weeks.

The tasks to be performed are based on demand. They are listed in the “To do” column of the table and are prioritized according to their degree of importance. The table allows you to view the progress of the team using columns titled “In Progress“, “Pending” and “Completed“, in line with the Kanban method. Tasks are then moved from column to column according to their progress.

Unlike the Scrum method, the team does not plan all of the tasks to be performed during the iteration in advance; tasks are prioritized as the team progresses. There is no sprint backlog or scope defined by the product owner as there is with the Scrum method.

Additional work to be completed is proposed as the project progresses, according to the needs identified by the product owner and developers, who adapt to the development status of the project as they go along.

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