What is the term for applying Lean principles to software development?

The term for applying Lean principles to software development is Agile. Agile is a methodology that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and customer-centric development, which aligns closely with Lean principles that focus on minimizing waste and maximizing value.

Agile promotes iterative development, allowing for incremental delivery and ongoing feedback, which helps teams adapt quickly to changes and improve the efficiency of their workflows. The root philosophies of Lean thinking, such as reducing cycle times and improving overall quality, are fundamental to Agile practices. This methodology encourages a mindset of continuous improvement, mirroring the Lean approach.

While other methodologies like Scrum and Kanban are frameworks within Agile, they are not synonymous with Lean principles themselves. Scrum is a specific Agile framework that uses fixed-length iterations, while Kanban focuses on visualizing work and managing flow, making them tools to implement Agile rather than definitions of the Lean approach to software development. Extreme Programming (XP) involves Agile practices but also introduces specific engineering techniques, dressing it up in a unique set of practices. Overall, Agile as a whole is the broader category that encompasses Lean principles applied to software development.