Lean methodologies converge with traditional software development practices

The software development industry has traditionally used a set of practices called the Agile method, which calls companies to respond to changes instead of following plans and collaborate with customers. However, many developers are now beginning to see the overlap between the Agile methodology and Lean manufacturing practices, and are beginning to implement both as a result.

Dan Woods, chief technology officer at Evolved Technologist, recently told Forbes that the two schools of thought are converging, with good ideas from Agile being integrated into what would otherwise be considered Lean practices. The core goal is to make the development of software and computer components into a streamlined process that can easily be repeated without losing money.

“Lean manufacturing, which envisions the enterprise as a massive event-driven system, waiting to create products when customer orders arrive instead of building products in advance and holding them in inventory,” Woods told Forbes.

Lean practices can be integrated in a variety of industries, from manufacturing to software development. It's all a matter of how businesses apply Lean principles.