Three big players dominate the fast-paced world of project management: Agile, DevOps, and Lean. Agile is a quick thinker, always ready to adapt to new challenges. DevOps is a tech-savvy multitasker, bridging gaps between development and operations. Lean is the efficiency expert, rooted in minimizing waste and maximizing value. The key differences lie in their focus. Agile focuses on adaptability, DevOps principles focus on automation, and Lean methodology focuses on efficiency.
This article will focus on Lean project management, explaining how it differs from Agile and DevOps and highlighting its benefits, fundamental principles, and the best tools and techniques to implement these methodologies.
Understanding Lean project management
Often misunderstood as a subset of Agile, Lean is a distinct methodology with its own primary objectives — eliminating waste and improving operational flow. Lean strongly emphasizes respect for people by involving employees in a culture of continuous improvement.
The ultimate goal is to create a system that maximizes value while minimizing resource consumption. Lean project management’s core principles and methodologies help teams focus on waste reduction and continuous process improvement.
Lean vs. Agile and DevOps
Each of the big three project management methodologies has strengths and weaknesses. The table below compares and contrasts the strengths and challenges of the Lean methodology with those of Agile and DevOps.
What are the core principles of Lean methodology vs. Agile methodology?
| | Lean | Agile | DevOps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Lean
| Agile
| DevOps
|
| Best suited for | Lean
| Agile | DevOps
|
| Tools and techniques | Lean
| Agile
| DevOps
|
| Implementation challenges | Lean
| Agile
| DevOps
|
Benefits of Lean project management
Lean project management principles focus on identifying and pursuing ways to reduce or eliminate waste and increase efficiency across every project planning phase, including resource planning and capacity planning. This approach offers several significant benefits, including improved productivity, reduced costs, enhanced quality, and increased customer satisfaction.
Principles of Lean project management
Teams must consider critical principles to implement Lean methodologies effectively in their project processes. Below are five core principles integral to the Lean project management methodology.
Identify value
Every effort should identify and prioritize customer needs and the perceived value of each project element, ensuring that resources and deliverables are focused on the most critical activities.
Map value streams
Once you’ve established a project timeline, the next step is to visualize and analyze workflows. The goal is to identify and eliminate muda (Japanese for “waste” or “wastefulness”), mura (irregularity or variability), and muri (overburden or excessiveness). Well-mapped value streams can shorten your project timeline by eliminating unnecessary or duplicative steps.
Optimize flow
Once you’ve mapped your value streams, you and your colleagues should focus on methods to streamline processes and improve workflows. This will help reduce cycle times and improve efficiency. Visual process mapping can help identify possible bottlenecks or opportunities for improvement. Other options include automation, templates, and consistent procedures to simplify and consolidate tasks to eliminate unnecessary steps.
Establish pull
So-called “pull-based systems” initiate work based on actual demand instead of creating work based on forecasts or speculation about what customers want. This approach can help you minimize inventory and avoid overproduction.
Drive continuous improvement
“Kaizen” is a combination of two Japanese words that translate to “good change” or “improvement.” Among Lean practitioners, “kaizen” is synonymous with “continuous improvement.” Over time, successful Lean project management efforts can foster a culture of continuous improvement through small, incremental changes that enhance overall project outcomes.
Tools and techniques in Lean project management
Various tools and techniques can help you and your colleagues make Lean project management work for your business. Examples include kanban, visual workflow management, value stream mapping, and root cause analysis.
Another helpful tool for organizing, developing, and maintaining productive work environments is the “5S” methodology (sort, set in order, shine, standardize, and sustain). Depending on project specifics and how your teams work best, combining these tools and techniques can help improve your Lean project management efforts and their results.
Use Jira as your free Lean project management tool.
How to apply Lean principles for better project management
Integrating Lean principles into project planning and execution can strengthen efficiency, resource allocation, and project outcomes. It can also improve the satisfaction of your customers and your project team members.
The best way to implement Lean principles is to explain their benefits to your teams. Follow this up with careful selection of an appropriate project while adhering to the above principles, and you and your team can successfully demonstrate and deliver the benefits of Lean project management.
Use first successes to adjust and modify your approach, focusing on incremental changes that drive continuous improvement. Remember to communicate regularly and transparently with your project teams and stakeholders.
Streamline workflows with Lean project management
Lean project management can help your business streamline and optimize multiple operational processes and workflows. Lean project management software can help you achieve these goals efficiently and consistently.
Jira can ease and speed up your Lean project management implementations by enabling and encouraging collaboration among your teams and colleagues. Jira lets you customize and automate the most complex workflows, allowing you to keep your projects on track and schedule.