In my previous article, we learned what XP and XP Principles, and in this article, we will learn one more Agile framework called Lean Framework that is more related to the production and development processes.
Early customer satisfaction and minimizing waste are the core of the Lean framework. From a software development point of view, Scrum and XP are at the top of the popularity chart but are closely followed by the principles of Lean.
That means Lean is creating more business value for customers with fewer resources.
History of Lean
Lean was first implemented in 1940, its roots are in the manufacturing industry. A Japanese businessman, Taiichi, introduced Lean in the Toyota production system.
The aim is to eliminate waste and deliver value to the customer by using pull-based systems, the production is continuous in motion.
This method was later popularized as Lean Manufacturing and implemented and adopted by the health domain, Pharma, Financial Services, software services, and many more.
There are 2 factors that were highlighted at that time and 8 forms of waste in Lean that we will cover in detail in the next article and the values and principles behind Lean that helped Toyota to become the largest manufacturing company in the automobile industry.
In 2003, Mary Poppendieck and Tom Poppendieck introduced Lean principles to software development.
Like Scrum, Lean also focuses on delivering valuable features as the highest priority, and business people and the team work together to achieve those.
Lean 5S Tool for Improvement
Lean uses the 5S technique(Japanese Technique) like Just-in-time manufacturing The goal of 5S is to produce a workplace that is well organized, efficient, effective, and clean.
As Figure shows, 5S stands for.
- Sort (Seiri)
- Set in order (Seiton)
- Shine (Seiso)
- Standardize (Seiketsu)
- Sustain (Shitsuke)
![Lean 5S Tool]()
- Seiri means Sort: Keep only the necessary things at the workplace and eliminate unnecessary stuff from the workplace. items that are not in use must be discarded.
- Seiton means Set in Order: Set and arrange the items in the proper sequence to implement the smooth flow.
- Seiso means Shine: Neaten and cleans the work area periodically. Inspect it and keep it clean.
- Seiketsu means Standardize: Set standards practices and process at the workplace and follow it.
- Shitsuke means Sustain: Maintain order and discipline, maintain order, discipline, and good working conditions.
I hope you like this article. In my next article, we will learn 8 types of waste (downtime) in Lean.
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