When not to use Agile

• Small project

• Unkown requirements / Chaos

When to choose

Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP) are all agile methodologies, but they have different focuses and are better suited for different situations. Here's a general guide on when to use each:

1. Scrum:

   • Use Scrum when:

     • Project Requires Structure: Scrum provides a well-defined structure with roles, ceremonies, and artifacts, making it suitable for projects that benefit from a clear framework.

     • Predictable Delivery is Important: Scrum's time-boxed iterations (sprints) and regular releases make it suitable for projects where delivering a potentially shippable product at the end of each iteration is essential.

     • Emphasis on Team Collaboration: Scrum emphasizes collaboration among team members and stakeholders, making it a good choice when close interaction is crucial.

2. Kanban:

   • Use Kanban when:

     • Continuous Delivery is Key: Kanban is focused on a continuous flow of work, making it suitable for projects where tasks need to be released as soon as they are completed rather than waiting for fixed iteration cycles.

     • Flexible Workflow is Needed: Kanban allows for more flexibility in terms of adding, reprioritizing, or removing tasks at any time, making it suitable for projects with evolving requirements or a high level of uncertainty.

     • Visualizing Work is Important: Kanban's visual board helps in easily visualizing the workflow and identifying bottlenecks, making it suitable for projects where visual management is crucial.

3. Extreme Programming (XP):

   • Use XP when:

     • Emphasis on Code Quality: XP places a strong emphasis on coding practices, automated testing, and continuous integration, making it suitable for projects where maintaining high code quality is a top priority.

     • Customer Involvement is Critical: XP involves the customer throughout the development process, making it suitable for projects where continuous feedback and close collaboration with the customer are essential.

     • Small to Medium-sized Teams: XP is often seen as more effective for smaller teams where close collaboration and communication are easier to manage.

In practice, some teams also use a combination of these methodologies, adopting elements from each to suit their specific needs. The choice between Scrum, Kanban, and XP often depends on the nature of the project, the team's preferences, and the specific requirements of the organization.

when not to use

While Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP) are popular agile frameworks, they may not be suitable for every project or organization. Here are scenarios in which each framework might not be the best fit:

Scrum:

1. Small or Predictable Projects: Scrum is designed for complex projects where requirements are expected to change. For small or highly predictable projects, the ceremonies and roles in Scrum may be seen as overhead.

2. Strict Regulatory Requirements: In industries with stringent regulatory compliance, such as finance or healthcare, the fixed timeframes of Scrum might conflict with the need for extensive documentation and validation processes.

3. Team Inexperience with Agile: If the team is new to agile methodologies, the structure and ceremonies of Scrum might be overwhelming. In such cases, a more straightforward approach like Kanban might be a better starting point.

Kanban:

1. Need for Strict Priority Management: If there's a requirement for strict priority management and a need to limit the work in progress, Kanban may be too flexible. Scrum might be more suitable for projects with defined timeframes and fixed iterations.

2. Need for Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Kanban doesn't prescribe specific roles like Scrum does. If clear roles and responsibilities are crucial for your organization, Scrum might provide a more structured framework.

3. Limited Opportunity for Iterative Improvement: If the organization does not prioritize continuous improvement or does not see the value in regular retrospectives, Kanban might not be fully utilized.

Extreme Programming (XP):

1. Large, Distributed Teams: XP relies heavily on close communication and collaboration. In situations where teams are large or geographically dispersed, the frequent face-to-face communication aspect of XP may be challenging to maintain.

2. Strict Documentation Requirements: XP emphasizes working software over comprehensive documentation. If your project or industry demands extensive documentation, XP might not align with those requirements.

3. Resistance to Pair Programming: XP promotes pair programming, where two developers work on the same piece of code. If the team is resistant to this practice, it might be challenging to implement XP effectively.

Ultimately, the choice of agile framework depends on the specific needs, culture, and constraints of the project and organization. It's also possible to tailor and combine elements from different frameworks to create a hybrid approach that best suits the unique circumstances.