Lean methodology

Introduction

Created by the Japanese automobile maker Toyota.

It prioritizes bringing value to the customer by identifying waster and improving efficiency and effectiveness. Main ideas: Waste less time, reduce costs, Improve work quality

7 Principles

1. Optimize the whole: identify and produce what is most valuable for the business

2. Eliminate waste: optimize time and processes

3. Build quality in: automate processes so the team can focus on creating value rather than solving errors

4. Deliver fast: the faster we deliver features to the customers, the sooner we can get the customer feedback

5. Create knowledge: document what has been done and share it will increase the team valuable learning

6. Defer commitment: make decisions at the last responsible moment to continuously make decisions based on the most up-to-date, relevant, comprehensive information.

7. Respect people: create an excellent work environment

Every team must

• Be cross-functional

• Have effective communication

• Be able to make effect change decision

Life Cycle

1. Concept: Focused on understand the features that will be developed, who will use it and what problems it will solve

2. Discussing: What features will be developed in the sprint

3. Development: Develop a solution for the problem discussed

4. Feedback: know if what has been developed does solve the problem effectively

Tools

Lean teams often use Kanban boards to visualize and manage their workflows. They also use Kaizen, a continuous improvement method, to habitually identify and remove waste.

Continuous improvement cycle of Kaizen:

1. Identify: opportunities in the process workflow

2. Plan: how can the process be improved

3. Execute (Development): implement changes

4. Review (Feedback): how changes are working for the team?