What is Scrumban? Blending Scrum and Kanban to Optimize Your Workflow

Scrum and Kanban have long been hailed as the go-to Agile frameworks for tech teams, but many organizations are discovering that Scrumban — a hybrid approach that borrows from both methodologies — may be a better fit for their needs. But what exactly is Scrumban, and why is it becoming so popular? In this guide, we’ll explain what Scrumban is, why and when to use it, and how to implement it practically in your organization.

What is Scrumban?

Scrumban is a really interesting approach to Agile project management. It combines the best of both worlds: the structured planning of Scrum with the flexible, visual workflow of Kanban. This means that teams can work in short iterations like they do in Scrum, while also managing ongoing tasks using visual boards, just like Kanban.

What’s great about Scrumban is that it helps teams stay focused on getting things done, but they can easily adapt to any changes in priorities or requirements. It actually started as a way to help teams transition from Scrum to Kanban, but now it’s evolved into its own unique system. It’s perfect for those who want a balance between a more rigid framework and a flexible workflow.

Scrumban vs. Scrum

Scrumban keeps many of Scrum’s structured elements but adds a level of flexibility. It still uses short, manageable work cycles, but instead of calling them sprints, it refers to them as “iterations” and allows for varying lengths of these cycles. This means teams can adjust their planning and workflows on the fly, without being tied down by fixed sprint boundaries.

Scrumban also takes a more discretionary approach to meetings. While it still offers options for quick check-ins and retrospectives to help the team stay aligned, these meetings aren’t mandatory like they are in Scrum. The flexibility extends to team roles as well, with Scrumban adopting a more fluid structure compared to Scrum’s defined roles like “Product Owner” and “Scrum Master.”

One of the key features of Scrumban is its use of Work in Progress (WIP) limits, which it borrows from Kanban. Unlike Scrum, where there typically aren’t restrictions on work-in-progress during a sprint, Scrumban employs WIP limits to help optimize team capacity and prevent overload.

Scrumban vs. Kanban

Scrumban and Kanban both use a visual Kanban board to manage tasks and workflows, giving you a clear view of the team’s work. They also limit work-in-progress to keep everyone focused on high-priority tasks.

However, Scrumban takes a different approach to planning. While Kanban follows a continuous flow model, Scrumban incorporates on-demand planning sessions that are triggered when work reaches a certain threshold.

Another key difference is that Kanban doesn’t require specific meetings, whereas Scrumban allows teams to integrate regular Scrum meetings, like stand-ups and retrospectives if they find them useful.

Scrumban vs. Scrum vs. Kanban

Still trying to figure out how Scrumban compares to Kanban and Scrum? Here’s a quick breakdown of the key differences:

Scrum	Kanban	Scrumban
Methodology	Fixed-length sprints Iterative, consistent delivery Fixed roles	Maintaining flow of work Reducing bottlenecks Tracking tasks visually
Workflow	Time-based sprints	Continuous, with a visual Kanban board
Planning	At the start of each sprint	Ongoing based on demand
Roles	Defined roles (e.g., Scrum Master, Product Owner, Team)	No defined roles
WIP (Work In Progress) Limits	❌	✅
Meetings	Daily stand-ups Planning Review Retrospectives	No prescribed meetings
Change Management	Changes only allowed during sprints	Changes can happen anytime
Best for	Teams needing structured, time-boxed cycles	Teams seeking flexibility and continuous delivery

Why use Scrumban?

Scrumban offers the best of both worlds. Unlike traditional Scrum, which can feel too rigid for certain teams, Scrumban provides more adaptability while still offering the structure and discipline needed to get things done.

It’s particularly effective for teams in fast-paced environments. Because it allows for real-time adjustments, Scrumban makes it easier for teams to accommodate shifting priorities or take on unplanned work. Plus, with WIP limits, your team can focus on completing tasks rather than juggling multiple projects at once.

Benefits of Scrumban

Scrumban offers a great blend of flexibility and structure that can really help teams boost their productivity. It removes the pressure of strict sprint deadlines while still providing a clear direction toward project goals. Additionally, Scrumban promotes transparency and accountability, thanks to Kanban boards that keep everyone on the same page.

One of the biggest advantages of Scrumban is its potential to enhance your team’s efficiency. By using work-in-progress limits, teams can avoid multitasking and reduce the risk of burnout. It also cuts down on planning overhead, which means less time spent in meetings and more time focused on getting actual work done. Plus, for teams already familiar with Scrum or Kanban, Scrumban is easier to adopt, leading to a smoother transition and quicker benefits.

Limitations of Scrumban

While Scrumban has many advantages, it also comes with some potential challenges. The framework’s success relies heavily on team discipline and self-management. Without the strict roles and timelines of Scrum, teams may find it challenging to maintain organization and consistency in their work. This flexibility can sometimes lead to scope creep, as the continuous flow model makes it easier to add new tasks without the boundaries of fixed sprint cycles.

Another consideration is the unpredictability of delivery timelines. Scrumban’s focus on continuous flow can make it tough to provide exact delivery dates, which may be problematic for projects with strict deadlines. Additionally, scaling Scrumban across larger organizations can be complex. While it works well for smaller teams, maintaining consistency across multiple departments may require additional processes and oversight.

When to use Scrumban

Scrumban is especially beneficial in dynamic environments where priorities frequently change. Here are some situations where Scrumban is a great fit:

Teams transitioning from Scrum to Kanban

If your team has been using Scrum but finds the rigid sprint cycles a bit restrictive, Scrumban can be a great middle ground. It provides more flexibility to adjust tasks and priorities during a sprint while still maintaining structured workflows.

This approach is especially helpful when sprint deadlines feel rushed or arbitrary, or when the team appreciates Scrum ceremonies but needs a bit more flexibility. With Scrumban, teams can retain familiar elements like sprints and meetings while also incorporating Kanban’s visual workflow and continuous delivery. This gradual transition makes it easier for teams to adapt to a pull-based system without the shock of a complete overhaul of their methodology.

Projects with uncertain or changing requirements

For teams dealing with uncertain project scopes, Scrumban offers a lifeline of flexibility. It shines in these scenarios by allowing continuous planning instead of fixed sprint commitments, with the ability to reprioritize tasks without disrupting the workflow.

Scrumban is ideal for product development in emerging markets, research projects, or any initiative where the end goal is clear, but the path to get there may change.

Cross-Functional Teams

When different departments come together, Scrumban can be the common language that unifies everyone. It accommodates diverse skill sets and workflows on a single project, providing a framework that works for everyone involved.

Scrumban is effective because the visual board can represent different types of work and team members, while WIP limits help balance workloads across functions. This makes Scrumban an excellent choice for teams that combine technical and non-technical roles, or for organizations looking to break down silos between departments.

Support and maintenance teams

Teams juggling planned improvements with unpredictable support requests will find Scrumban to be a strong ally. It allows for both planned work and ad-hoc tasks on the same board, with WIP limits helping to manage capacity for both types of work.
The continuous flow model makes Scrumban ideal for IT support teams, customer service departments, or any group that must remain responsive while also driving proactive improvements.

Teams new to agile

For organizations just starting with Agile methodologies, Scrumban provides a gentler learning curve. It introduces core Agile concepts without the full complexity of Scrum; teams can start with basic Kanban principles and gradually add Scrum elements.
This approach helps teams build confidence with Agile practices while delivering value from day one, making it ideal for traditional organizations transitioning to modern project management methods.

How to implement Scrumban on Slack

Slack, with its integrations and flexible communication tools, is a great platform for implementing Scrumban. By using Slack Connect and project management integrations like Trello or Jira, your team can manage workflows without leaving the platform.

Here’s how to get started:

Set up your board

Create your Scrumban board using a Kanban-style tool like Trello or Asana. Organize tasks into columns such as “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done.”

Use Slack’s workflow automation tool to set up custom notifications, like when tasks move between columns or are assigned to team members.

Establish WIP limits

Define clear WIP limits for each team member or project stage to maintain a continuous flow of work and prevent bottlenecks. Use Slack to receive alerts when WIP limits are approached or exceeded. Regularly review and adjust WIP limits based on team capacity and project needs.

Automate workflows

Streamline routine tasks via Slack, such as setting up reminders for daily stand-ups or weekly check-ins. Automatically prompt team members to update their progress or move tasks between columns when completed.

Centralize your documents

Make sure all team members have access to the latest project documents. Slack’s document-sharing features allow teams to store and access important project files directly in channels or direct messages. Integrate with Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox to share files from your preferred cloud storage service. Use Slack’s search functionality to quickly find documents and information.

Collaborate in channels

Create dedicated Slack channels for each project or team to keep discussions focused and relevant. Use threads to maintain context and reduce channel clutter.
Consider creating a #scrumban-help channel to let team members ask questions and share tips about the methodology.

Getting started with Scrumban

By blending the structure of Scrum with the fluidity of Kanban, Scrumban provides a framework that adapts to your team’s unique needs. Whether you’re transitioning from Scrum or Kanban, or starting fresh, Scrumban can transform how your team works.

Ready to get started with Scrumban? Sign up for Slack today and see how it can help you achieve your Scrumban project goals with ease.