“Lean can maximize productivity and deliver consistent value by eliminating wastes and improving efficiency.”
It is the most common answer we get to hear when we ask why we should use lean management. The answer is simple yet it only gives a surface-level overview of what lean has to offer. It’s like the tip of an iceberg. You only see what’s on the surface while a lot of stuff at the bottom goes unknown.
In this blog, we’ll offer a complete overview of some compelling pros of the lean software development approach. Let’s begin:
1. Increased Efficiency
The lean management approach helps teams become more efficient by eliminating processes that don’t bring any value. For this, they create a value stream map that tracks each step and process involved in product development. It helps your team to see which processes bring value and which don’t.
The idea is simple. If you are spending time on a process that doesn’t bring any value, you can’t be efficient. To achieve efficiency and increase your team’s value flow, you must get rid of these processes.
2. Reduced Bottlenecks
Bottlenecks or broken processes are the biggest hurdles in software development. Even the smallest ones can completely make the workflow go haywire and you may find it impossible to meet the deadlines.
Approaching tasks randomly is the reason why bottlenecks emerge. However, you don’t have to worry about them in lean management. It is because a lot of planning is involved to properly assign and distribute tasks. Also, we discuss all potential bottlenecks in advance so that we can solve them before they become a burden on the team. As a result, we waste no time and maximize productivity.
3. Reduced Costs
Bottlenecks, wastes, and mundane processes often shoot up the cost. With better management of resources, lean management removes all these wastes. As a result, teams always have the right amount of resources and they meet deadlines, thus significantly reducing costs in the process.
4. Your Team can Adapt Faster & Better
Given the current landscape, it has become more important than ever for businesses to adapt faster to customer needs. However, adapting to new trends is difficult especially for traditional organizations as they’re not designed to be flexible. Sometimes, it may take months or even years to finally adapt.
Since the lean system is not rigid, teams can better adapt to it. Businesses, no matter how big or small they are, can better adjust to the evolving market needs and trends.
5. Transparency & Strong Customer Relationships
The lean management approach keeps both stakeholders and customers in high regard. Their feedback and the value we provide to them play a crucial role. Every task starts with keeping into account the customer’s point of view. Not only this, throughout the product development, we gather and utilize the feedback to ensure the end product turns out exactly the way customers want. It eventually leads to stronger customer relationships.
6. A Continuous Improvement Mindset
The lean approach thrives on continuous improvement. It has no place for the status quo and comfort zone. You need to step out of your comfort zone and constantly fine-tune processes to make the most out of lean management. Even if you are an established business, you must keep looking for room for improvement.
This continuous improvement mindset helps teams constantly bring value to customers and launch products that lead to maximum customer satisfaction.
7. Better Team Engagement
Disengaged employees are a company’s biggest liability. They’re less available, less productive, and less profitable. Above this, they affect the working of the entire team. All these things can drain a company’s resources. That’s why it’s important to ensure your entire team remains engaged.
The lean management approach puts team engagement on the frontline. All the employees have direct communication and they regularly remain in touch with their managers. Besides, they receive regular feedback and constant guidance on their work. This leads to better team engagement and improved productivity.
8. Better Project Visibility
The lack of project visibility is a big hurdle in software development. Not only it leads to miscommunication and frustration across the entire team, it also affects the productivity. Since no two members in a software development team are equally productive, it often becomes difficult to know which employees are giving their best and which are just procrastinating.
The lean management approach solves this problem by ensuring there is enough visibility of projects to every team member so that they’re on the same page. Through value stream mapping and visual workflows, it ensures every team member knows what is happening within the team. As a result, there is a better communication and more productivity.
So, these were seven compelling benefits of lean management. Hopefully, they gave you enough reasons on why you should opt for the approach. Now, it’s time to give lean management a shot. If you need any guidance, please let us know in the comments. I will be happy to help you.