Concepts
Lean Thinking and Scrum are two potent approaches in the world of Agile development. When appropriately combined, they contribute to a more efficient, value-driven work environment. Understanding the core concepts of Lean Thinking and how they apply to Scrum is fundamental to becoming a Certified Scrum Professional – ScrumMaster (CSP-SM).
1. Core Concepts of Lean Thinking
Lean Thinking finds its roots in manufacturing and is perhaps most famously embodied by Toyota’s Production System. It emphasizes creating more value with fewer resources. The five core principles of Lean Thinking, as laid out by James Womack and Daniel Jones, are Value, Value Stream, Flow, Pull, and Perfection.
1.1 Value
The primary purpose of Lean Thinking is to specify what creates value from the customer’s perspective and to focus on it.
1.2 Value Stream
Value Stream maps the entire lifecycle of a product or service, from its conception through its delivery. This provides a holistic view and helps identify waste in the system.
1.3 Flow
The flow refers to the uninterrupted passage of work items through the value stream. Eliminating bottlenecks and ensuring seamless transitions is critical.
1.4 Pull
The pull system indicates that work should be based on customer demand, not speculative inventory. It starts from the end customer’s needs and works backward, reducing waste due to overproduction.
1.5 Perfection
This principle emphasizes continuous improvements in the system. It is about making small, incremental changes over time to improve efficiency and quality.
2. Applying Lean Thinking to Scrum
Scrum hinges on iterative development, customer collaboration, and responding to change. Here’s how the Lean Thinking principles complement the Scrum process:
2.1 Value
In Scrum, the Product Owner constantly prioritizes maximizing value by reassessing the product backlog, focusing on customer-centric features. Value is further maintained by regular communication with the stakeholder throughout the development process.
2.2 Value Stream
All the roles, processes, and tools involved in transforming Product Backlog Items into a potentially shippable increment is the Value Stream in Scrum. The emphasis on regular Scrum events and transparency through artifacts helps identify and eliminate waste in the system.
2.3 Flow
Scrum promotes the flow through iterative development and frequent feedback. Continuous integration, test-driven development, and short sprints of two to four weeks help maintain an uninterrupted flow of value.
2.4 Pull
The concept of pull is inherent in Scrum as it relies on what the customer finds valuable at a given time. Backlog Items are pulled from the Product Backlog into a Sprint Backlog based on customer priorities and team capacity.
2.5 Perfection
Scrum emphasizes retrospective meetings at the end of every sprint, it promotes continuous learning and improvement within teams, a nod to the Lean principle of perfection.
To summarize, Lean Thinking’s core principles can greatly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Scrum framework, providing an integrative, customer-focused, and waste-reducing working environment. As an aspiring Certified Scrum Professional – ScrumMaster (CSP-SM), understanding and applying these principles to the Scrum process can result in more streamlined organizing, better decision-making, and ultimately, enhanced customer value.
| Lean Principles | Application in Scrum |
|---|---|
| Value | Focusing on customer-centric features |
| Value Stream | Using Scrum roles, processes, and transparency |
| Flow | Through iterative development and frequent feedback |
| Pull | Pulling Backlog Items based on customer priorities |
| Perfection | Through continuous learning and improvement |
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
True or False: Lean Thinking primarily focuses on minimizing waste within a system.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: One of the primary objectives of Lean Thinking is to identify and minimize waste, thereby improving overall customer value.
Which of the following are core concepts of Lean Thinking? Select all that apply.
- A) The pursuit of perfection
- B) The right first time
- C) Pull-based production
- D) Allowing waste
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: Lean Thinking encompasses several concepts include the pursuit of perfection, ensuring tasks are done correctly the first time, and pull-based production where products are made when there is client demand. Allowing waste is not part of Lean Thinking.
True or False: In Lean Thinking, value is defined by the customer.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: In Lean Thinking principle, the customer defines what is valuable. Processes must then be optimized to maximize this value.
In the context of Lean Thinking, what does ‘Flow’ refer to?
- A) The sequence of processes
- B) The speed of production
- C) The continuous delivery of value
- D) The reduction of waste
Answer: C
Explanation: ‘Flow’ in Lean Thinking refers to the continuous deliverance of value, without interruption or delay.
True or False: Scrum is a framework that supports Lean Thinking.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Scrum, an Agile framework, perfectly suits the Lean measurement of value and effort towards eliminating waste, aligning the principles of Lean Thinking.
Lean Thinking and Scrum both focus on:
- A) Continuous Improvement
- B) Documentation
- C) Contract Negotiations
- D) Following a Plan
Answer: A
Explanation: Both Lean Thinking and Scrum emphasize on continuous improvement and iterative development to provide value.
Which of the following Lean Thinking concept can be applied in Scrum to limit multitasking and improve efficiency?
- A) Just in Time
- B) Perfect Quality
- C) Waste Reduction
- D) None of the above
Answer: A
Explanation: By implementing ‘Just in Time’ concept from Lean Thinking, teams limit work-in-progress items in a Scrum environment, improving efficiency by reducing multitasking.
True or False: The goal of Lean Thinking is to provide shorter and predictable delivery times.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: By eliminating waste and promoting a smoother, continuous workflow, Lean Thinking aims to provide predictable, shorter delivery times.
Which of the following principle of Lean Thinking is utilized in Scrum through the use of Sprints or iterations?
- A) Amplify learning
- B) Build quality in
- C) Decide as late as possible
- D) Deliver as fast as possible
Answer: D
Explanation: The principle of ‘deliver as fast as possible’ of Lean Thinking is applied via the use of Sprints or iterations in Scrum, enabling the team to deliver value frequently.
According to Lean Thinking, when is the best time to make decisions?
- A) As soon as possible
- B) Halfway through the project
- C) Once all information is available
- D) At the end of the project
Answer: C
Explanation: Lean Thinking advocates making decisions as late as possible until you have gathered all the necessary information, this can avoid premature decisions.
True or False: The application of Lean Thinking to Scrum results in a rigidity that does not allow for change.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to creating rigidity, the application of Lean Thinking to Scrum supports agility and flexibility, allowing teams to adapt to changes quickly.
Which of the following practices would not be considered Lean Thinking?
- A) Building quality in
- B) Going slower to go faster
- C) Creating excess inventory
- D) Seeing the whole
Answer: C
Explanation: Creating excess inventory is a form of waste, which Lean Thinking seeks to eliminate.
Lean Thinking emphasizes eliminating waste. How can we integrate this philosophy into Scrum practices effectively?
Value Stream Mapping is a core Lean technique. Has anyone applied this in their Scrum team?
Does anyone have experience combining Kanban with Scrum to enhance Lean practices?
Just wanted to say this blog is super helpful! Thanks!
How does Lean’s focus on just-in-time production parallel with Scrum’s model of iterative development?
The 5S method is a core Lean strategy. Any tips on applying this in a software development context?
Can someone explain how Lean Startup principles align with Scrum?
Awesome blog! Keep up the great work.