Waterfall, Scrum, or Kanban? What’s the Best for Your Game Project

So, you’ve got a killer idea for a game, right?

Maybe it’s the next big MMORPG that will have players lost in a world of dragons and dungeons, or perhaps it’s a cozy farming sim where you can finally have that pet cow you’ve always dreamed of.

Whatever it is, you’re stoked, your team is stoked, and you’re ready to dive in. But wait—how exactly are you going to manage this epic journey from concept to console?

Cue the project management debate: Waterfall, Scrum, or Kanban?

Each one sounds like the name of a futuristic sci-fi race or a mythical beast. But in reality, they’re the three heavyweights of project management, each with its own quirks, strengths, and (let’s be honest) a few annoyances.

Choosing the right one can feel like selecting the perfect weapon in an RPG:

• go with the trusty sword (Waterfall)?
• the versatile bow (Scrum)?
• the agile daggers (Kanban)?

For now, no need to choose because we’re going to break down these three methodologies and help you figure out which one might just be the hero your game development saga needs. And it’s even less important if you’re a stickler for planning, love a bit of organized chaos, or crave a visual workflow—we’ve got you covered.

Let’s see which project management style is going to lead your game project to victory!

Meet the Methods

Let’s get acquainted with our trio of project management heroes: Waterfall, Scrum, and Kanban. Each one has its own style, its own quirks, and its own way of getting things done.

Ready to find out which one might be your game development soulmate?

Waterfall → Old School

Let’s start with Waterfall, the granddaddy of project management methods.

If Waterfall were a person, it’d be that grizzled, dependable old warrior who’s seen it all and knows exactly how things should be done—no surprises, no detours.

This method is all about a straight line from A to Z. You plan everything upfront, march forward step-by-step, and voilà, you (hopefully) end up with exactly what you envisioned at the start.

Sounds great, right?

Well, here’s the catch: Waterfall is a bit… rigid.

Imagine trying to dance the tango in a suit of armor. Sure, you’ve got a plan, but if something unexpected comes up (and in game development, when doesn’t it?), turning this ship around can be a real headache.

You often don’t see the final picture until you’re already at the end of the process. It’s like cooking a fancy meal and only tasting it once it’s fully plated. Surprise! It’s either a masterpiece or… maybe not.

But hey, Waterfall isn’t all bad.

In fact, it shines in situations where things are pretty predictable. Got a straightforward art pipeline? Know exactly how many assets need creating, and in what order?

Perfect!

Waterfall is like a well-oiled assembly line for those repeatable, structured tasks. Start with concepts, draft your iterations, and keep on marching until you hit that final point of approval and game integration.

No fuss, no muss—just good old-fashioned discipline.

And, that’s all. Waterfall’s got the plan all set—but what if we need to stay on our toes? Enter Scrum.

Scrum → Agile Star

Next up, meet Scrum—the agile adventurer of the project management world.

If Waterfall is all about walking a straight path, Scrum is about charting a course through uncharted territory. You’ve got a general idea of where you want to end up—maybe a shiny new game feature or a groundbreaking piece of tech—but the path?

Well, that’s more of a mystery waiting to unfold.

Scrum thrives on uncertainty.

It’s like setting off on a quest with your merry band of developers, ready to tackle unknown challenges as they pop up. You’re not quite sure what you’ll encounter next, but you’re confident you’ve got the skills (and snacks) to figure it out along the way.

Psst… Not feeling confident? We’ve got Scrum training just for you!

Instead of planning everything down to the tiniest detail, you work in sprints—short, intense bursts of activity where you build, test, learn, and adapt. It’s perfect for when you’re innovating, developing new technology, or figuring out a fresh technique that’s never been tried before.

Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure game.

Each sprint, you make progress, gather feedback, and then decide on your next move. Maybe the monster (or bug) you thought was a minor nuisance turns out to be a major boss fight.

No worries! With Scrum, you’re ready to pivot, adjust your tactics, and keep pushing forward.

So, Scrum’s all about sprints, but what if you want a steady flow instead? Let’s see how Kanban keeps the work moving smoothly.

Kanban → Visual Master

Last but definitely not least, let’s talk about Kanban—the smooth operator of the project management trio.

If Scrum is your adventurous guide through the unknown, Kanban is more like the laid-back problem solver, always ready to handle whatever comes its way.

Think of it as a lighter, more flexible version of Scrum, with a zen-like focus on keeping things flowing and staying adaptable.

With Kanban, you’re dealing with a bunch of tasks that need to get done—eventually.

You’ve got your priorities set, but you’re not sweating over exact time estimates or rigid deadlines. It’s all about visualizing your workflow, managing what’s in progress, and making sure nothing gets stuck.

Picture it like a board game where every task is a card you move across different stages:

• To do
• In progress

Nice, simple, and oh-so-satisfying when you get to move that card to the finish line.

Kanban is especially great when you’re dealing with lots of little things that need fixing—like squashing bugs, ironing out glitches, or handling all those minor tweaks that keep popping up.

The work is relatively small, straightforward, and perfect for this method’s steady, continuous flow. No need for fancy footwork or big dramatic pivots—just a smooth, consistent process that keeps your project humming along.

Now that we’ve got the lowdown on Waterfall, Scrum, and Kanban, let’s see how they stack up against each other in a head-to-head (face-to-face?!) showdown!

Choose wisely (remember, like in the Indiana Jones movie)—and our next section will help you with it…

Face-to-face or Simple Tips to Help You Decide

So, you’ve got the basics down, and you’re ready to pick the right method for your game project. But you still have a question about how you decide between Waterfall, Scrum, and Kanban?

Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with some simple tips to help you choose the perfect fit based on your project’s unique needs. We’ll start with a quick table summary to help you spot the differences, and then we’ll dive into the details. Sound good?

And let’s dive into the details:

Project Size: Big or Small?

Got a massive game project on your hands with a ton of moving parts? Waterfall might give you that straight, clear path, but it’s not great when you need to change direction or juggle a lot of stuff at once.

That’s where Scrum comes in, flexing its muscles!

Scrum’s all about breaking things down into bite-sized pieces, making it perfect for big projects where you need to pivot and adapt—like working on a game as complex as Minecraft.

With techniques like Scrum@Scale (S@S) or Large-Scale Scrum (LeSS), you can set up specialized teams, or “silos,” each laser-focused on different parts of the game to keep things moving smoothly.

For smaller projects, or when you’re kinda figuring things out on the fly, Kanban’s got your back. It’s all about visualizing your tasks and keeping the workflow nice and smooth, making it easy to shift gears when needed.

Team Vibe: Tight or Large?

Got a small, tight-knit team with one but dedicated game dev producer? Scrum or Kanban could be your go-to, as they thrive on close collaboration and constant communication.

Larger teams with specialized roles might benefit from the clear divisions and structured handoffs that Waterfall offers.

Updates: Who’s in the Loop?

If you need to keep stakeholders updated regularly, Scrum’s frequent sprints and reviews are great for providing consistent updates. Kanban can also work well, especially with its visual boards that make progress easy to track at a glance.

Waterfall, however, might leave people hanging until you reach major milestones.

Adaptability: Change-Friendly?

Is your project likely to change course mid-way?

Scrum and Kanban are your go-to buddies for that. They’re built for flexibility, letting you pivot and adjust as new challenges or ideas pop up.

Perfect when you’re navigating unknown territory or experimenting as you go.

Waterfall, on the other hand, isn’t as nimble—it shines when you have a well-defined plan and a clear end goal in mind.

If your project’s path is set and you don’t expect many twists and turns, Waterfall’s structured approach can keep things running smoothly without the need for constant adjustments.

Deadline Pressure: Fixed or Flexible?

Feeling the crunch of a tight deadline? Waterfall’s detailed planning can help you map everything out and stay on track to hit those fixed dates.

But if you’ve got a little wiggle room with your schedule, Scrum’s prioritization system ensures the most critical tasks get tackled first, speeding up the delivery of your Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

Kanban, on the other hand, is all about keeping things clean and efficient—perfect for maintaining high quality as you go, without the stress of a rigid timeline.

Creative Freedom: Strict or Open?

Looking for creative freedom to experiment and innovate? Scrum’s flexible framework gives you the room to try new things and adjust on the fly. Kanban also allows for creativity within a flexible structure.

Waterfall, though, is more about sticking to the plan—great for projects where the creative direction is already locked in.

Tech Tools: Simple or Advanced?

If your project relies on simple tools and straightforward processes, Kanban’s visual boards are a breeze to set up and manage.

Scrum, on the other hand, might need a bit more tech—tracking sprints, managing backlogs, and keeping an eye on team velocity. It’s all about measuring how fast your team’s moving and the size of the backlog to estimate how much work is left and tweak your schedule as needed.

Waterfall, with its need for extensive documentation and planning, might lean on more advanced project management software.

Experience Level: Beginners or Pros?

Are you working with a team of seasoned pros or a mix of experience levels? .

To really reap the benefits, like proper release planning, you’ll need a bit of expertise from your Scrum Master or Product Owner. Without it, things can go sideways fast, and you might end up with a messy mix—kind of like a Frankenstein between Waterfall and Scrum (aka ‘cargo cult’)

Waterfall’s structured approach might need more experience and discipline to pull off, especially when it comes to staying on schedule, within scope, budget, or high quality (it’s all about the

Scrum also keeps an eye on these three constraints, but its flexibility lets you adapt and re-estimate easily whenever new work or changes pop up, making it easier to stay on track even when things shift.

Feedback Style: Continuous or Phased?

Need constant feedback to shape your project? Scrum’s iterative sprints provide continuous feedback loops, perfect for refining and improving as you go. Kanban also allows for ongoing feedback with its continuous flow of tasks.

Waterfall is more about phased feedback—after each major stage, you review before moving on.

Client Involvement: High or Low?

If your client or stakeholders want to be highly involved and see regular progress, Scrum’s frequent reviews and demos will keep them happy. Kanban’s visual progress tracking is also great for keeping everyone in the loop.

Waterfall, with its major milestone approach, might be less suited for clients who want to be involved every step of the way.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

The best method depends on your project’s unique needs, your team’s vibe, and how you like to work. Weigh these factors, avoid blindly copying other teams approaches, and you’ll be on your way to choosing the perfect project management style for your next big game adventure!

And if you need help choosing, implementing, maintaining, or supporting—pretty much anything—just ask Toño Game Consultants!

How to Kickoff?

Alright, you’ve made your choice—now it’s time to get started!

Whether you’re going with Waterfall, Scrum, or Kanban, kicking off your game project the right way is crucial.

Let’s break down how to launch each method so you can hit the ground running (as easy and smooth as possible, be sure!).

Waterfall → Plan and Go

If you’re going with Waterfall, it’s all about meticulous planning from the get-go. Here’s how to kick things off:

1. Define your scope → Nail down exactly what your project will deliver—think features, assets, and everything in between. Be as detailed as possible.
2. Map out the stages → Break your project into clear, sequential stages—like concept development, asset creation, testing, and so on. Each stage should have a start and end point.
3. Create a detailed timeline → Set realistic deadlines for each stage, and make sure everyone knows what needs to be done and by when. Remember, with Waterfall, once the plan is set, you’re sticking to it!
4. Assign tasks → Clearly define who’s doing what. Assign roles and responsibilities, and make sure everyone knows their part in the grand scheme.
5. Document everything → Waterfall loves documentation. Make sure all your plans, timelines, and task assignments are well-documented and accessible to the whole team.

Now, with your blueprint in hand, it’s time to execute! Stick to the plan, track your progress, and move through each stage methodically.

Scrum → Sprint Setup

Choosing Scrum? Great! Here’s how to set up your first sprint and get things rolling:

1. Create a backlog → Start by building your product backlog, a prioritized list of all the tasks, features, and user stories you want to accomplish. Think of it as your to-do list for the whole project.
2. Assemble your team → Get your Scrum team together—developers, designers, testers (everybody you need from each game dev discipline), and a Scrum Master to keep everything on track.
3. Backlog grooming
4. Plan your sprint → Decide on your sprint duration (usually 1-4 weeks). Choose a set of tasks from the backlog that your team will focus on during this sprint. Make sure the goals are clear and achievable within the sprint timeframe.
5. Set up daily standups → Plan for short daily meetings (standups) where everyone shares what they worked on yesterday, what they’ll work on today, and any roadblocks they’re facing. It’s all about staying in sync!
6. Sprint review and retrospective → At the end of the sprint, review what was accomplished and gather feedback. Hold a retrospective meeting to discuss what went well, what didn’t, and how to improve in the next sprint.

Now, rinse and repeat! Each sprint is a chance to iterate, improve, and move closer to your game development goals.

Kanban → Board and Flow

Going with Kanban? Awesome choice for flexibility and flow! Here’s how to set up your Kanban system:

1. Set up your Kanban board → Whether digital or physical, your board is your project’s heartbeat. Create columns for “To Do,” “In Progress,” “Review,” and “Done.” Customize as needed based on your team’s workflow.
2. Visualize your tasks → Write each task on a card and place it in the “To Do” column. This could be anything from “Fix character animation bug” to “Design level 3 environment.”
3. Establish WIP limits → To avoid overloading your team, set limits on how many tasks can be in each column at a time (Work In Progress limits). This keeps the workflow smooth and prevents bottlenecks.
4. Prioritize and pull → Team members pull tasks from the “To Do” column based on priority and capacity. Focus on one task at a time and move it through the board as work progresses.
5. Review regularly → Keep an eye on the board. Hold regular meetings (with a project manager as a team leader) to review progress, adjust priorities, and ensure everything is flowing smoothly.

And there you have it—tasks are constantly moving, and you’re adapting as you go! With Kanban, it’s all about keeping the workflow visual and manageable.

Now that you know how to kick off with each method, it’s time to dive in and start developing your game masterpiece! Whatever approach you choose, make sure it fits your team, your project, and the adventure ahead.

You need help with it? No problem, our next section is about it

Wrap-Up: Your Best Fit

Choosing the right framework for your game project can be like picking the right gear for a boss battle—get it right, and you’re on the path to victory.

But with Waterfall, Scrum, and Kanban all offering different perks, how do you decide?

That’s where Toño Game Consultants come in. And yes, we know from practice that game development is no walk in the park.

It’s a high-stakes adventure with twists, turns, and a whole lot of creativity.

Our mission? To help you choose the framework that fits your team like a well-worn controller.

Need structure and predictability? We’ll guide you through Waterfall. Craving flexibility and rapid iteration? Scrum might be your match. Want a smooth, continuous flow? Kanban’s got your back.

And we’re not just here to help you choose.

We’re here to roll up our sleeves and dive in with you. From setting up your Kanban board to planning your first Scrum sprint, we’ll make sure your team is ready to rock.

So, why guess when you can know?

Let Toño Game Consultants help you find your perfect fit, so your team can focus on what they do best—making amazing games!