On Product Development and More...

Today, I attended a webinar entitled: "An Agile Developer's Guide to Lean Software Development" hosted by Alan Shalloway, from NetObjectives. Shalloway is a noted expert in applying both Agile and Lean methods to Software Development.

Shalloway extolled the virtues of Agile methodology, but claimed that organizations have discovered that Agile alone (while good) is not sufficient. He discussed how to extend common Agile practices by using Lean Principles.

Shalloway described Lean Software Development according to the following 7 principles:
• Optimize the Whole (“concept to cash”)
• Eliminate Waste (“only add value”)
• Build Quality In (“avoid errors”)
• Deliver Fast (“eliminate delays”)
• Defer Commitment (“reversible decisions when possible, otherwise wait until you know if you can”)
• Respect people (“people doing the work know the work”)
• Create Knowledge (“continuous process improvement”)

Shalloway also emphasized the need to for quality process (to ensure that quality it built into the product from the get-go). The job of testing is not to find defects, but to prevent defects.

Thanks Alan, I found your talk refreshing.