Agile vs Lean – Difference and Comparison

What is Agile?

Agile development inspires regular checks and feedback, sophisticated engineering practices, good governance, and other practices. The Agile Methodology lays out a set of ideas and standards which must be adhered to. The premise is based on Lean software development, which takes an iterative approach to innovation by encouraging team and end-user participation. It’s a stride forward in software development that places a premium on client pleasure.

Teams might use the agile technique to provide code in limited quantities rather than huge consignments more regularly, allowing them to gather client feedback at regular intervals throughout the development cycle. That gives users greater flexibility in implementing changing demands at any time during the development lifecycle, reducing the chance of complete failure. Agile is built on Lean philosophy, and practitioners speak in terms of Lean production instead of Agile.

It builds applications in small increments called iterations, which last about 1 to 4 weeks and allow the development process to be variable composition in response to changing needs. It does not create or develop the product all at once. Instead, it divides the project into user stories, which are small chunks of user functionality that are prioritized and delivered one by one.

Instead of traditional waterfall models, many industries are using agile methodology for their development phase. It is gaining popularity due to its flexibility feature, which allows it to accommodate changing requirements during the development process. It necessitates a framework such as a scrum or scrumban, among others.

What is Lean?

Through the use of lean principles was restricted which were frequently used to justify cost-cutting. TPS’s managerial ideologies, which made Toyota and other Asian firms now have a long-term and premium solution were not understood by Western implementations. Although this type of Process improvement assisted Western manufacturers to stay competitive, it also introduced new difficulties like staff churn and quality faults, which enabled Big firms to retain their dominance for years.

Lean is more of a cost-cutting technique that places a premium on user satisfaction above all else. It focuses on removing quasi services that drain resources unreasonably and add no value to the production process. Instead of wasting resources on ineffective consultations, tasks, and documentation, the goal is to focus solely on the things that matter. To increase efficiency and productivity, Lean also emphasizes a structured system that encourages teams to work together rather than separately.

To make it more efficient, the lean approach aims to make small incremental changes to the manufacturing process. Instead of identifying new ideas for customers’ competitive edge, Lean is all about eliminating waste. Rather than reacting to changes, it follows a systematic plan.

Lean is a wide term referring to any structured manner based on Japanese Operations and Process Improvement, such as Lean Innovation, Lean Management, and Rapid Strategy. The major aim is to eliminate any operation that does not provide value.

Difference Between Agile and Lean

  1. The main difference between both is agile focuses on creating something new during the first moment and only once, whereas lean focuses on creating the same thing over and over again, and on the same idea.
  2. Unlike the Lean approach that deals with keyboard waste, the agile approach focuses on the user’s principle.
  3. Unlike the Lean approach, the Agile doesn’t have cost-cutting options.
  4. Unlike the Lean approach which is a derivative model, Agile is developed by Scrum and Kanban.
  5. Unlike the Lean approach, the Agile approach is flexible and can handle the dynamic nature of projects.
  6. Unlike the Lean approach that focuses on seven principles, the Agile approach works in six different stages.

Comparison Between Agile and Lean

Parameters of ComparisonAgileLean
DefinitionA model that includes six
processing cycles
A derivation of manufacturing
model
DevelopmentFrameworks like Scrum and
Kanban is used
Manufacturing ideas and
process transition
AssociationSmall patches are delivered
frequently at the final stage
and process
Inspired by Lean Model

TenureDynamic production.Speed-up and improves product
quality
GeneralizationSix distinct phases.Seven principles based
TheoryProduct scope and value
Product speed and improved
quality
In-built FeaturesAn apt framework for
any type of project
management
Small lots oftenly

UsageEasyNot flexible
FlexibilityFlexible for different
frameworks
Consistent look and adaptation
are ongoing.

References

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0065245818300299
  2. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-981-13-2751-3.pdf