Open In App

Difference between Lean Development Model and Agile Development Model

Improve
Improve
Like Article
Like
Save
Share
Report

1. Lean Model: Lean is one of the efficient methodology that believes the flow of value to the customer through continuous improvements and value for the customer. It optimizes the available resources to create a stable workflow keeping the customer’s demand at its center. The Lean Model was first used in 1915, by Henry Ford in the Ford Motor Company’s Highland Park factory. It generally refers to a set of knowledge specifically called Lean Manufacturing. This focuses on production based on demand and not on supply. It contains 5 principles.

Benefits of Lean Model:

  • Increased product quality
  • Provides more employee satisfaction
  • Improved visibility to stakeholders
  • Predictable delivery of customer value
  • More efficient business processes

2. Agile Model: Agile is a well-known development methodology and the best approach for many development teams, especially those looking to create a continuous delivery environment. It focuses around iterative development, short cycles, getting feedback and adapting to the new requirements. Solutions develop through interactions between self-organizing cross-functional teams. Agile is a mindset from the Agile Manifesto which came out in 2001 containing 12 principles and 4 values written by 17 software developers.

Benefits of Agile Model :

  • Better customer satisfaction
  • Rapid development and delivery
  • More emphasis on end users
  • Close cooperation between business and development team
  • Late and further changes are allowed

The Lean Development Model and Agile Development Model are both iterative approaches to software development, but they have some key differences:

  1. Origin: Lean development originated in the manufacturing industry, while Agile development originated in the software industry.
  2. Focus: Lean development focuses on reducing waste and improving efficiency, while Agile development focuses on delivering value to the customer through incremental and iterative development.
  3. Methodology: Lean development is based on the principles of lean manufacturing, which emphasize continuous improvement and waste reduction. Agile development is based on the Agile Manifesto, which values individuals and interactions, working software, customer collaboration, and response to change.
  4. Workflow: Lean development typically follows a linear workflow, where each step is completed before moving on to the next. Agile development follows an iterative workflow, where development cycles are repeated until the software meets the customer’s needs.
  5. Metrics: Lean development uses metrics such as cycle time and lead time to measure efficiency and waste reduction. Agile development uses metrics such as velocity and burndown charts to measure progress and track performance.
  6. Team Structure: Lean development typically uses cross-functional teams that are responsible for the entire development process. Agile development also uses cross-functional teams, but places more emphasis on self-organizing teams that collaborate closely with the customer.

In summary, while both Lean Development and Agile Development are iterative approaches to software development, Lean focuses more on efficiency and reducing waste, while Agile focuses more on delivering value to the customer and responding to change.

Difference between Lean Development Model and Agile Development Model :

AGILE MODEL

LEAN MODEL

Agile is more focused on continuous delivery through the self organizing cross-functional teams. Lean is focused on flow of value to the customer.
It is based on the worth and scope of the product.  It is based on how quickly things are developed and how well they turn out i.e. product quality.
Aim- To meet the needs of the end user or stakeholder by providing valuable product. Aim- Elimination of any process that does not have any significant role to the process of producing the final product.
Agile is always adaptive to change. Lean is about stable workflow and meeting the customer’s demands.
Agile is designed using different frameworks like scrum, Kanban etc. Lean is designed using transitions from manufacturing processes.
Agile came out in 2001 and was designed by 17 software developers. The Lean Model was first used in 1915, by Henry Ford in the Ford Motor Company’s Highland Park factory.
Agile consists of 12 principles and 4 values. Lean consists of 7 principles.
Agile delivers products in a dynamic manner in small parts rather than whole products at once. Lean is used to develop both the quality of the product and the delivery speed as well.
Agile can not be used to cut costs. Lean can be used to cut costs.
Agile is easier to use for dynamic requirement changes. Lean is not flexible when the requirements are changed.
Agile believes in end results through responses and feedbacks. Lean follows a systematic plan for development by eliminating unnecessary things like meetings, documentation etc. 
It is a collective collaboration between teams and end users. It emphasizes maximizing customer value and increasing efficiency.
It offers flexibility when using different frameworks.  It helps with the ongoing evaluation and adaptation of the product.
It acts as a suitable framework for any product development whether big or small.  In this model, there is possibility of the production of small quantities of products.

Last Updated : 14 Apr, 2023
Like Article
Save Article
Previous
Next
Share your thoughts in the comments
Similar Reads