What is the difference between Scrum and Kanban?

Scrum

• A framework for managing the development of complex adaptive products.
• Based on an iterative and incremental approach (sprints).
• Fixed roles (Scrum Master, Product Owner, Development Team).
• Fixed events (Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective).
• Focus on completing a defined amount of work within a sprint.
• Emphasizes frequent inspection and adaptation.
• Metrics: Velocity, Sprint Burndown.

Kanban

• A visual management method for workflow.
• Focuses on continuous flow and limiting work in progress (WIP).
• No fixed roles or events.
• Changes are implemented evolutionarily.
• Aims to optimize cycle time (Lead Time) and throughput.
• Visualizes the workflow using a Kanban board.
• Metrics: Lead Time, Cycle Time, Throughput, WIP.

Main differences in tabular form:

Attribute	Scrum	Kanban
Approach	Iterative and incremental	Continuous flow
Structure	Fixed roles, events, time frames	Flexible, focuses on flow
Changes	Inspected and adapted at the end of each sprint	Implemented evolutionarily at any time
Goal	Complete work within a sprint	Optimize flow and delivery time
Metrics	Velocity, Sprint Burndown	Lead Time, Cycle Time, Throughput, WIP
Limiting work in progress	Implicit (through sprint scope)	Explicit (through WIP limits)