If you’re a project manager, you’ve probably had a project go off the rails. The team scattered the project information among several tools. A stakeholder couldn’t review the work on time, so the timeline crumbled. In the end, you would have wasted both resources and time.
Lean is the most prevalent methodology for increasing efficiency in project management. It revolves around the five key lean principles, which provide a reliable framework. There’s also DevOps, a combination of practices, tools, and cultural philosophies. DevOps builds on the Lean methodology and enables developers and IT teams to work collaboratively during a product’s lifecycle.
We’ll explain the differences between DevOps and Lean principles here so that you can choose the methodology that best suits your project.
The 5 lean principles explained
Lean revolves around the five lean management principles: defining value, plotting the value stream, creating flow, adhering to a pull system, and staying in a state of continuous improvement. Let’s break down the Lean manufacturing principles, where the customer’s value will be your barometer:
1. Define a value
Which activities are time wasters? Which ones add value to the project? That's the distinction you must make here. Consider your customers. Does your effort provide value to them, whether directly or indirectly? “A trick when trying to identify value is to focus on eliminating wasteful activities,” says Atlassian's Modern Work Coach Mark Cruth. “Look at the seven forms of waste and try to eliminate them from your process: waiting, transporting, processing, inventory, motion, defects/rework, and overproduction.”
2. Map the value stream
The second principle requires visualizing your customer value activities. This lets you keep the project on task and moving forward, especially if you use an Agile project management style, such as Scrum.
You can also use a Kanban board, such as the one offered in Jira.
3. Create a flow
You want your project to flow seamlessly. Any blockage can be detrimental. Watch for potential clots. If one occurs, analyze what caused it and how to avoid it. For example, clots tend to form while awaiting stakeholder feedback. Prevent this by limiting the chunks of work for review.
4. Establish pull
Shoving new work on your team when they're at capacity can hinder flow. Start new work only when there's demand and your team has time. A pull system creates a work queue, meaning a team member without current work can pull the first high-priority ticket to do.
5. Seek perfection
Defining value is a crucial Lean principle. Which activities are time wasters? Which ones add value to the project? That’s the distinction you must make here. Consider your customers. Does your effort provide value to them, whether directly or indirectly? “A trick when trying to identify value is to focus on eliminating wasteful activities,” says Atlassian’s Modern Work Coach Mark Cruth. “Look at the seven forms of waste and try to eliminate them from your process: waiting, transporting, processing, inventory, motion, defects/rework, and overproduction.”
How Lean Principles Enhance DevOps
Lean principles are foundational to many modern methodologies—including DevOps. While DevOps focuses on breaking down silos between development and operations, Lean provides the framework to do it efficiently.
“Many methodologies and models can trace their roots back to Lean, which requires a lean mindset. This is why you will find the principles of Lean laced into every modern way of working,” explains Atlassian's Modern Work Coach Mark Cruth.
When Lean is applied to DevOps, it sharpens the focus on customer value, reduces bottlenecks, and empowers teams to continuously improve delivery processes. Here’s how Lean principles directly enhance DevOps workflows:
- Customer value orientation: Lean begins with understanding what customers truly value—and eliminating anything that doesn’t contribute to that. In DevOps, this ensures that releases are not just fast but meaningful and aligned with business goals.
- Flow creation: DevOps thrives on smooth, uninterrupted delivery pipelines. Lean reinforces this by identifying where flow is interrupted—whether through manual handoffs, slow approvals, or context switching—and removing those blockers.
- Waste elimination: From waiting on reviews to redundant processes, waste slows teams down. Lean provides a lens for spotting inefficiencies across the DevOps toolchain and workflows, helping teams reduce rework and friction.
- Pull systems for work management: DevOps teams often manage multiple work streams. A Lean-inspired pull system ensures work is only started when there is capacity, keeping teams focused and avoiding overload.
- Continuous improvement: DevOps is built on iteration, but Lean principles structure retrospectives and performance analysis. Teams can use Lean thinking to fine-tune their automation, deployment cycles, and communication.
By integrating Lean principles into DevOps, teams move faster and smarter. The result is a high-performing, customer-centric delivery engine that scales sustainably.
If you want a deeper dive into DevOps, check out our beginner's guide to DevOps
Apply lean principles for better project management
When choosing which methodology to use, consider how it affects your customers. Which method serves them best, a Lean approach incorporating lean practices or DevOps? Ultimately, it’s all about the value you bring to them. Whichever works best for delivering customer value, Atlassian’s Jira can support you. It’s adaptable to both Lean principles and DevOps.
Jira tracks projects and keeps your team aligned. They’ll have visibility into your project’s workload and progress. Teams collaborate across DevOps to QA for continuous integration, delivery, and deployment, accelerating your team’s ability to deliver on schedule.
What is Lean project management?
Lean principles: Frequently asked questions
Where did Lean principles originate?
Lean management principles, originating from the Toyota Production System (TPS), are key lean principles that have since been adapted for various industries, including software development. These principles focus on eliminating waste and improving process efficiency.
What is the definition of value in Lean principles?
Value in Lean is defined by the customer's needs for a specific product or service. The goal is to focus on activities that provide value to the customer while eliminating non-value-added activities.
What is the purpose of value stream mapping in Lean?
Value stream mapping helps visualize the steps required to deliver a product and optimize value streams from raw materials to the customer. It is a tool for identifying inefficiencies and areas for improvement in the process flow.
What is a pull system in Lean?
A pull system allows work to begin only when customer demand exists. This approach helps prevent overproduction and ensures that resources are used efficiently, only when needed.
What is considered waste in Lean?
In Lean, waste refers to non-value-added activities in any process. Eliminating waste involves identifying and removing these inefficiencies, such as waiting, defects, or excess motion.
How does employee involvement work in Lean?
Lean requires a cultural shift involving all employees in process improvement. This approach encourages collaboration and ensures that everyone contributes to enhancing workflow efficiency.
Is DevOps or Lean better for project management?
DevOps is ideal for accelerating delivery, as it breaks down silos, fosters collaboration, and automates tasks. Lean focuses on improving processes and eliminating inefficiencies. DevOps is better for software development, while Lean works well for process optimization.
What are the benefits of implementing Lean management principles?
Lean increases efficiency, improves team collaboration, reduces risks, and fosters continuous improvement. The main benefit is delivering greater customer value and higher satisfaction and loyalty.
What are some common challenges of Lean implementation?
Challenges include lack of support, improper training, unrealistic expectations, and overemphasizing tools. Solutions involve gaining leadership buy-in, providing proper training, setting realistic goals, and fostering a culture of trust alongside the right tools.