I decided to pick this topic because in work, we had Retro meeting and everyone suggested some improvments, then I realised all the suggestion can be put into one of these 8. Here are those 8 buckets.
In today's fast-paced software development world, efficiency is key. Developers are always looking for ways to optimize their processes and deliver high-quality products to their customers quickly. One methodology that has gained popularity in recent years is Lean. Originally developed for manufacturing, the Lean methodology has since been adapted to many different industries, including software development.
At its core, Lean is all about minimizing waste and maximizing value. In software development, this means identifying and eliminating the eight types of waste that can occur in the development process. These wastes include defects, overproduction, waiting, non-utilized talent, transportation, inventory, motion, and extra processing.
Defects
Defects are any work that has errors, bugs, or requires rework. Defects are one of the most common types of waste in software development and can be caused by a variety of factors, such as poor requirements, inadequate testing, or miscommunication. To minimize defects, teams should focus on developing and implementing robust testing procedures, including automated testing and code reviews. Continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines can also help to catch defects early in the development process, reducing the need for rework.
Overproduction
Overproduction is creating more code or features than what is required by the customer. This can happen when developers make assumptions about what the customer wants, or when requirements are not clearly defined. Overproduction can lead to wasted effort and resources, as well as a longer time to market. To minimize overproduction, teams should focus on delivering small, incremental features that provide value to the customer. This approach allows for frequent feedback and ensures that the team is building what the customer actually needs.
Waiting
Waiting is time spent waiting for feedback, approvals, or resources. Waiting can be a major source of waste in software development, as it can lead to delays and decreased productivity. To minimize waiting, teams should aim to have a fast and efficient feedback loop. This can be achieved through regular check-ins, agile methodologies, and using tools that enable collaboration and communication.
Non-utilized talent
Non-utilized talent is underutilizing the skills, abilities, or ideas of team members. This can happen when team members are not given the opportunity to contribute or when their contributions are not valued. To minimize non-utilized talent, teams should focus on creating a culture of collaboration and empowerment. This can be achieved through regular team building activities, cross-functional training, and ensuring that team members have a voice in the development process.
Transportation
Transportation is the movement of information or code that does not add value. This can include moving code between development environments, or between teams. Transportation can be a major source of waste in software development, as it can lead to delays and errors. To minimize transportation, teams should focus on creating a streamlined development environment, with clear processes and tools that enable efficient collaboration.
Inventory
Inventory is creating or storing unfinished work, code, or features. This can happen when requirements change, or when work is not completed on time. Inventory can lead to wasted effort and resources, as well as a longer time to market. To minimize inventory, teams should focus on delivering small, incremental features that provide value to the customer. This approach allows for frequent feedback and ensures that work is completed in a timely manner.
Motion
Motion is extra movement or effort that does not add value. This can include excessive clicking or scrolling, or moving between different tools or systems. Motion can be a major source of waste in software development, as it can lead to decreased productivity and increased frustration. To minimize motion, teams should focus on creating a streamlined development environment
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