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Lean Development

Lean Development is another software development methodology. It is based on ideas that originated in Toyota's manufacturing and were adapted to the needs of software development.

Principles

Lean Development describes seven core principles:

  1. Eliminate waste. This principle states the need to identify and remove all types of waste in the development process, such as process complexity that adds no value or features that no one will use.

  2. Amplify learning. This principle emphasizes the importance of learning and acquiring knowledge for both individual developers and the team as a whole. It helps improve processes and working methodologies based on accumulated experience.

  3. Decide as late as possible. This principle supports the concept of deferring important decisions until more information is available. It helps avoid hasty decisions that may be inaccurate or inefficient.

  4. Deliver as fast as possible. This principle highlights the importance of speed in bringing the product to market or to users. Fast delivery helps receive user feedback sooner and respond to their needs.

  5. Empower the team. This principle encourages creating conditions where each team member can make decisions independently and be responsible for the outcomes of their work.

  6. Build quality in. This principle emphasizes the importance of ensuring quality at every stage of development.

  7. Optimize the whole. This principle calls for optimizing the entire development process rather than its individual parts. Optimization should cover all aspects of the process to achieve maximum efficiency.

Differences between Lean Development and Agile

Lean Development and Agile are two software development methodologies that share common principles and values but also have their differences. Here are some of them:

Lean Development Agile
Focused on eliminating waste. Focused on developing software with changing requirements.
Focused on managing overall processes. Focused on working software.
Based on 7 core principles that include eliminating waste, amplifying learning, deciding as late as possible, etc. Based on 12 principles defined in the Agile Manifesto that include valuing each team member and their interactions, prioritizing customer-developer communication, flexibility in responding to change, etc.
Does not have specific methodologies, but its principles can be used in combination with various methodologies. Has various methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, and others that provide specific rules and practices for development.
Focuses on process optimization to deliver maximum value to the customer. Uses an iterative and incremental approach to allow developers to adapt software to changes and uncertainty.