Lean Software Development

Lean deveLopment is a product development paradigm with an endto-end focus on creating value for the customer, eliminating waste, optimizing value streams, empowering people, and continuously improving (see Figure 11). Lean thinking has penetrated many industries. It was first used in manufacturing, with clear goals to empower teams, reduce waste, optimize work streams, and above all keep market and customer needs as the primary decision driver.2 This IEEE Software special issue addresses lean software development as opposed to management or manufacturing theories. In that context, we sought to address some key questions: What design principles deliver value, and how are they introduced to best manage change?