How do you use lean principles in SDLC?

1 Identify value

The first step in applying lean principles in SDLC is to identify the value that your software product will provide to your customers and stakeholders. Value is what solves a problem, satisfies a need, or creates a benefit for your target audience. To identify value, you need to conduct market research, user interviews, surveys, and other methods to understand your customers' pain points, expectations, and preferences. You also need to define your value proposition, which is the unique benefit that your software product offers compared to your competitors.

2 Map the value stream

The next step is to map the value stream, which is the sequence of activities and resources that are required to deliver value to your customers. The value stream includes both the technical and business aspects of your software product, such as requirements analysis, design, coding, testing, deployment, maintenance, and feedback. To map the value stream, you need to identify all the steps, inputs, outputs, dependencies, and stakeholders involved in each activity. You also need to measure the time, cost, and quality of each activity and identify the sources of waste, such as delays, defects, rework, overproduction, or overprocessing.

3 Implement flow

The third step is to implement flow, which is the smooth and continuous movement of value through the value stream. Flow is achieved when there are no interruptions, bottlenecks, or variations in the value stream that cause waste or inefficiency. To implement flow, you need to eliminate or minimize the sources of waste that you identified in the previous step. You also need to optimize the value stream by using techniques such as automation, standardization, parallelization, or modularization. You also need to align your team members and stakeholders with a common vision, goal, and feedback mechanism.

4 Establish pull

The fourth step is to establish pull, which is the demand-driven approach to delivering value to your customers. Pull means that you only produce what your customers want, when they want it, and in the amount they want. To establish pull, you need to implement agile and iterative methods in your SDLC, such as Scrum, Kanban, or XP. These methods allow you to deliver software in small increments, based on customer feedback and priorities. You also need to limit your work in progress (WIP) and batch size, to avoid overproduction and inventory.

5 Pursue perfection

The fifth and final step is to pursue perfection, which is the continuous improvement of your value stream and your software product. Perfection means that you always strive to deliver more value, faster, cheaper, and better, by learning from your mistakes, experiments, and customer feedback. To pursue perfection, you need to adopt a culture of kaizen, which is the Japanese term for continuous improvement. You also need to use tools and metrics such as quality assurance, testing, code reviews, performance monitoring, user feedback, and customer satisfaction surveys.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?