Agile vs Lean: Difference and Comparison

Many projects are launched in the software industry. Before starting a project, we need a proper model to decide whether we can go with the project or not.

Key Takeaways

  1. Agile project management methodology emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  2. Lean focuses on streamlining processes, eliminating waste, and increasing efficiency to deliver customer value.
  3. Both methodologies share the goal of improving organizational performance but apply different principles and strategies to achieve it.

Agile vs Lean

Agile is a project management method that focuses on flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Agile teams work in short iterations. Lean is a project management method that aims to maximize value while also minimizing waste and eliminating non-value-added activities.

Agile vs Lean

The agile model is used by many companies because the work is divided into smaller iterations.

While developing the product, they will also learn and help other team members to grow as well, which makes them unique. 

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonAgileLean
DefinitionA software model containing six different phases for their entire cycle of lifeA software model which got derived from a manufacturing model
Developed usingScrum framework or Kanban frameworkUsing the transition of manufacturing principles and processes
TimeThey are used to deliver everything in a dynamic mannerThis can be used to increase the speed
PrincipleThey give scope and value to the productThey will improve the quality of the product
Built-in facilitiesIt can be used to design any productIt is used for building only small-batch products
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What is Agile?

Agile is a software life cycle model used for developing a software product.

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It won’t take time more than that. And all the iterations will go through all the phases described in the software development life cycle model.

The biggest disadvantage of this model is that once the project is completed, the team members will be assigned to the next project. So, they won’t come and look back at their previous project.

agile

What is Lean?

Lean is project management that is used in the agile model for developing projects. In lean, there will be nothing in excess, so nothing will get wasted while you develop the product.

In lean, there will be an increase in speed in terms of managerial flow. This is the thing that agile models lack.

Some of the principles are they will eliminate all the waste, and they will create quality products, and they will create knowledge among them.

Main Differences Between Agile and Lean

  1. The agile model is developed using scrum techniques. On the other hand, the lean model is developed using manufacturing principles.
  2. In the agile model, they used to give more scope to the product. In the lean model, they have importance to the quality of the product.
Difference Between Agile and Lean
References
  1. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/6475408/
  2. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/6005500/

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About Author

Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.