Approaches to software development depend on the intended function of the final product and your desired system to refine operating processes. Here at DevSimplify, we subscribe to lean and agile methodologies for software development. Each has its merit, influencing how we work as a team. For example, one focuses on value, creation, and people, while the other emphasizes principles and collaboration. Let’s dive into the history and framework to define why we value each approach.
Lean Development Defined
Lean development has an interesting origin story. Toyota initially created it as a way to streamline its efficiency in manufacturing. However, the process had such a favorable outcome that many manufacturing companies adopted the lean methodology in their operations. The lean process eliminates waste during the production of your product over several iterations of the process in the pursuit of perfection.
The Five Lean Principles:
- Defining value
- Mapping the value stream
- Creating flow
- Using a pull system
- Pursuing perfection
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Agile Software Development Cycle Defined
The manifesto for Agile software development was released in 2001 by a group of developers in an effort to create better digital products. The manifesto for agile software is still available online with the developers’ mission below.
We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value:
Individuals and interactions over processes and tools Working software over comprehensive documentation Customer collaboration over contract negotiation Responding to change over following a plan
That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.
The Key Values and Principles of the Agile Manifesto
- Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.
- Working software over comprehensive documentation.
- Customer collaboration over contract negotiation.
- Responding to change over following a plan.
Agile Software Development Cycle
- Concept
- Inception
- Iteration
- Release
- Maintenance
- Retirement
An Agile framework encourages efficiency through planning, managing, and executing work. Agile development helps teams, or many teams, remain consistent and efficient with frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP) to create order and deliverables while staying true to the agile principles.
Lean development is a philosophy or a guiding set of principles, and Agile development is a framework. When the two development styles are combined, it creates an unshakeable system to develop and grow the software processes and team collaboration. We use lean principles to improve processes and agile frameworks to build the code.
Did this change how you’ll go about your next step in software development? We are available to help with a specialized approach or to recommend the next best steps in your development journey.
