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Reference & Concepts

Lean Principles

Five principles from lean thinking: define value, map the value stream, create flow, establish pull, and pursue perfection.

2 min read · Practitioner

In 30 seconds

  • Value: what the customer will pay for.
  • Value stream, flow, pull: deliver it without waste.
  • Perfection: improve continuously.

The five principles

  1. Value: define it from the customer's view
  2. Value stream: map every step that delivers it
  3. Flow: make work move without interruption
  4. Pull: produce only when there's demand
  5. Perfection: keep improving

James Womack and Daniel Jones set these out in Lean Thinking (1996).

In agile teams

PrincipleAgile practice
ValueProduct discovery
Value streamValue stream mapping
FlowWIP limits
PullKanban
PerfectionKaizen, retrospectives

Lean software

For software-specific lean principles, see lean software development.

Myth vs reality

Myth · Lean is about cutting costs.
Reality · It's about delivering value with less waste.
Myth · Perfection is achievable.
Reality · It's a direction, not a destination.
Myth · Lean replaces agile.
Reality · They complement each other.

FAQ

Where did lean come from?

The Toyota Production System, studied and named in the West.

How is lean different from agile?

Lean focuses on flow and waste; agile on adaptation and collaboration.

Which principle should we start with?

Usually value, then the value stream.