Regarding website design and development, picking the right agile method can impact your ability to deliver high-quality projects on time. Two popular methodologies in this area are Kanban and Scrum. Each has its own strengths and works well for different types of projects. In this article, we’ll dig into these methods in the Canadian tech industry context to help you determine which is best for your custom web application development needs in Canada.

Understanding Agile in Web Design and Development

Agile project management style focuses on iterative development, teamwork, and customer feedback. It’s handy for web design and development projects when a client needs to change a lot. Agile methods like Kanban and Scrum are top picks for handling these changes smoothly.

What is Scrum?

Scrum is a structured agile framework where projects are divided into fixed-length iterations called sprints, usually lasting two to four weeks. Each sprint begins with planning and ends with a review and retrospective. Scrum has defined roles: the Scrum Master facilitates the process, the Product Owner prioritizes work, and the development team executes tasks.

Key Components of Scrum:

• Roles: Scrum Master, Product Owner, Development Team.
• Artifacts: Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Increment.
• Events: Sprint Planning, Daily Standup, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective.

Scrum is ideal for complex website design and development projects requiring regular adjustments and clear, structured workflows.

What is Kanban?

Kanban is a flexible and visual way to manage work tasks. You use a Kanban board with different columns for stages of the workflow, like “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done.” Each task is shown on a card that moves across the board as it is completed.

Key Components of Kanban:

• Kanban Board: Columns, Cards, Work-in-Progress Limits.
• Principles: Visualize Work, Limit Work-in-Progress, Manage Flow, Make Process Policies Explicit, Implement Feedback Loops, and Improve Collaboratively.

Remember: Kanban is great for projects with unpredictable workloads and timelines, such as ongoing website maintenance and iterative design updates, as it focuses on continuous delivery and flow.

Comparing Kanban and Scrum

Flexibility and Adaptability: Kanban allows teams to change priorities and manage work as it arises. Scrum offers regular intervals for reassessment but needs to be more adaptable to mid-sprint changes.

Team Roles and Responsibilities: Scrum delineates precise roles and responsibilities for clarity but may need to be more flexible. Kanban features a more adaptable team structure with less rigid roles.

Workflow and Process Management: Scrum is best for teams thriving on structured cycles and clear deadlines, while Kanban suits projects handled continuously.

Suitability for Different Project Types: Scrum is ideal for large-scale website design and development or web app development, whereas Kanban is more suitable for ongoing work and smaller projects.

Implementation Complexity: Scrum may pose challenges due to its defined roles and structured events. Due to its simplicity and adaptability, Kanban might be a better choice for teams new to agile practices.

Case Studies and Real-World Examples

Scrum in Action: A Canadian e-commerce company developed a custom web application using the Scrum framework. The project was divided into two-week sprints, allowing for frequent progress reviews and adjustments, ultimately resulting in the timely delivery of a polished product.

Kanban in Action: A Toronto-based digital marketing agency implemented Kanban for its website design and development tasks, utilizing a visual board to efficiently manage ongoing updates and client requests without structured sprints.

Choosing the Right Method for Your Team

To choose between Scrum and Kanban, consider the following criteria. These are theoretical concepts and practical guidelines that can support your decision-making process.

• Team Size and Structure: Kanban’s flexibility may benefit smaller teams, whereas Scrum might suit larger teams with more structured operations.

• Nature of the Project: Scrum sprints establish clear goals for well-defined projects, while Kanban’s continuous flow is optimal for ongoing tasks.

• Client Requirements and Feedback Cycles: Kanban’s flexibility is advantageous when clients frequently change their requirements. Scrum is more suitable for regular reviews.

• Existing Workflow and Processes: Assess your current workflow. Kanban might be a natural fit if your team already uses visual task management. If structured cycles appeal to you, consider Scrum.

Kanban and Scrum both have advantages and disadvantages for website design and development. Your choice should be based on your team’s structure, project requirements, and preferred workflow.

Conclusion

Looking to enhance your website’s design and development process? Our offshore development center is equipped for custom web application development and provides services to assist you in determining the best agile approach for your projects. Hiring offshore developers from Devollic can elevate your web design and development to the next level. Contact us at support@devollic.com and let us know how we can support you.