According to several of the authors of the Agile Manifesto, the word agile refers to adaptability and how quick a team or an organization is able to respond to changes. As a consequence, this means that the “Manifesto for Agile Software Development” might as well have been called the “Manifesto […]
An Agile Operating Model is a way of structuring and running an organization that embraces agile principles and practices to enhance its ability to respond quickly and effectively to changes in the business environment. It goes beyond just adopting agile methodologies in software development or project management and extends agile […]
Cycle Time is a performance metric that measures the time it takes to complete a single work item or task from the moment it enters an active, work-in-progress state until it reaches completion. It is a key concept in Lean, Agile, and Kanban methodologies and is used to assess the […]
The Decision Distance Index (DDI), developed by Allan Rennebo Jepsen in 2018, is a dynamic Key Performance Indicator (KPI) that assesses an organization’s proficiency in making timely and effective decisions, particularly when confronted with evolving demands. The essence of DDI lies in striking a balance between the speed of decision-making […]
Empirical Process Control is a key principle in Agile methodologies and Lean practices. It is an approach to managing and improving processes based on observation, experimentation, and real-time data. The term “empirical” refers to a process of making decisions based on evidence and direct observation rather than relying solely on […]
In the context of Business Agility, “Flow” refers to the smooth and efficient movement of work, information, and value across an organization’s entire value stream. It extends beyond the software development process and encompasses the end-to-end flow of activities, from ideation and customer engagement to product delivery and support. Flow […]
Inspect and Adapt is a fundamental practice in Agile methodologies, particularly in the Scrum framework. It is a continuous improvement process that involves regularly reviewing and assessing the work done in a project or iteration (Sprint) to identify areas for improvement and make adaptations for future iterations. Key aspects of […]
Kaizen is a Japanese term that means “change for better” or “continuous improvement.” In the context of business management and Lean methodologies, Kaizen refers to the philosophy and practice of making small, incremental improvements to processes, products, or services over time. Key points about Kaizen include: Kaizen is a cornerstone […]
Kanban is a visual management method used to improve workflow efficiency, collaboration, and productivity in various contexts, including software development, manufacturing, project management, and service delivery. The word “Kanban” originates from Japanese, where “kan” means “visual” and “ban” means “card” or “board.” The core principle of Kanban is to visualize […]
A Kanban Board is a visual management tool used to track and visualize work in progress (WIP) in an Agile or Lean environment. It is a fundamental component of the Kanban method, which aims to improve workflow efficiency and optimize the delivery of products or services. The Kanban Board typically […]
Lead Time is a critical metric used to measure the elapsed time between the initiation of a work item and its completion. It is a fundamental concept in Lean and Agile methodologies and is commonly used in Kanban systems to evaluate workflow efficiency and identify areas for improvement. Lead Time […]
Lean is a philosophy and management approach that focuses on maximizing value while minimizing waste in various processes and systems. It originated from the Toyota Production System (TPS) and is widely associated with manufacturing, but its principles have been successfully applied across diverse industries, including software development, healthcare, and service-oriented […]
Lean-Agile Budgeting is an approach to budget management that aligns with Lean and Agile principles, enabling organizations to fund and manage their initiatives in a more flexible, adaptive, and value-driven manner. It moves away from traditional annual budgeting practices that may be inflexible and rigid and instead embraces a more […]
Lean-Agile Leadership is a leadership approach that combines the principles of Lean thinking and Agile methodologies to foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and value delivery in organizations. It emphasizes empowering teams, promoting a growth mindset, and aligning leadership practices with the values and principles of Lean and Agile. […]
Lean-Agile Marketing is an approach to marketing that combines principles from Lean and Agile methodologies. It focuses on optimizing marketing processes, improving efficiency, and delivering value to customers in a fast-paced and dynamic business environment. Key aspects of Lean-Agile Marketing include: Lean-Agile Marketing aims to optimize marketing processes, eliminate inefficiencies, […]
Lean-Agile Procurement is an approach to procurement and vendor management that aligns with Lean and Agile principles. It seeks to foster collaboration, flexibility, and value-driven decision-making in the procurement process, enabling organizations to work effectively with vendors and suppliers in Agile environments. Key aspects of Lean-Agile Procurement include: Lean-Agile Procurement […]
Lean Portfolio Governance is a management approach that aligns with Lean and Agile principles to govern the portfolio of projects, products, and initiatives within an organization. It provides a framework for making strategic decisions, allocating resources, and managing investments to optimize the delivery of value and achieve strategic objectives. Key […]
Lean Product Development is an approach to product development that is inspired by the principles of Lean thinking, which originated in manufacturing but have been adapted and applied to various domains, including software development and product management. Lean Product Development aims to create a streamlined and efficient process that focuses […]
The Lean Startup is a methodology and mindset for developing businesses and products, popularized by Eric Ries in his book “The Lean Startup.” It applies principles from Lean manufacturing and Agile development to the process of building startups and new products. The main goal of the Lean Startup is to […]
Lean Thinking is a management philosophy and approach that originated from the Toyota Production System (TPS) and was popularized by the book “The Machine That Changed the World” by James P. Womack, Daniel T. Jones, and Daniel Roos. Lean Thinking focuses on creating value for customers while minimizing waste and […]
PDCA stands for Plan-Do-Check-Act, and it is a four-step iterative management cycle used for continuous improvement and problem-solving. PDCA is also known as the Deming Cycle or the Shewhart Cycle, named after its creator, Dr. W. Edwards Deming, who is considered one of the fathers of modern quality management. The […]
SAFe stands for “Scaled Agile Framework,” and it is a widely-used framework for implementing agile practices at scale in large organizations. SAFe provides a structured approach to scaling agile principles and methodologies to address the challenges of coordinating work across multiple teams, business units, and departments. The main objectives of […]
Transparency refers to the quality or state of being open, honest, and easily understood. It is the practice of sharing information, data, and processes in a way that is accessible, clear, and readily available to others. In various contexts, transparency can have different meanings: Overall, transparency fosters trust, accountability, and […]
Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is a visual tool and Lean management technique used to analyze, optimize, and improve the flow of materials, information, and activities required to deliver a product or service to customers. It provides a holistic view of the end-to-end process, from the initial request to the final […]