What is it?

Lean is a methodology focused on eliminating waste and maximizing customer value with fewer resources. Originally developed in manufacturing (notably by Toyota), Lean principles are now widely used across various industries including software development and healthcare.

PHOTOS:

Where is it used?

Manufacturing (e.g., Toyota Production System)

Software development (Lean Software Development)

Startups (Lean Startup methodology)

Healthcare, education, service industries

Pros:

Increased efficiency through waste reduction

Faster delivery and responsiveness

Focus on customer value

Encourages continuous improvement

Cons:

Can be hard to implement in complex or rigid organizations

Requires a cultural shift and employee buy-in

Misunderstanding Lean can lead to poor execution (e.g., just cutting costs)

DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method)

What is it?

DSDM is an agile project delivery framework that emphasizes rapid development and iterative delivery of software systems, with strong user involvement. It was first released in 1994 as a response to the need for more structured agile methods.

PHOTOS:

Where is it used?

Software and IT project development

Organizations needing governance with agility

Projects with fixed time and budget but flexible scope

Often used in public sector or large enterprises

Pros:

Time-boxed and iterative, ensuring frequent delivery

Strong focus on collaboration and end-user involvement

Clearly defined roles and responsibilities

Scalable for both small and large projects

Cons:

Can be complex to implement without proper training

Requires consistent user input, which may not always be available

Not suitable for projects with rapidly changing requirements (compared to Scrum or Kanban)