Lean Life Cycle

The Lean Life Cycle in Disciplined Agile is a Kanban-based approach that focuses on optimizing the flow of work and eliminating waste to deliver value efficiently. Unlike the time-boxed iterations of the Agile Basic Life Cycle, the Lean Life Cycle operates on a continuous flow model where work items are pulled through the system based on capacity. This approach is ideal for teams dealing with a high degree of variability or those requiring flexibility in prioritizing and delivering work items. Key principles of the Lean Life Cycle include visualizing work, limiting work in progress (WIP), managing flow, making process policies explicit, and implementing feedback loops. Teams use Kanban boards to visualize the workflow and track the progress of tasks through different stages. By setting WIP limits, teams prevent overloading and ensure they are working at optimal capacity, which helps in identifying bottlenecks and addressing them promptly. The Lean Life Cycle encourages continuous improvement by regularly reflecting on processes and outcomes. Teams engage in practices such as stand-up meetings and retrospectives to discuss challenges and opportunities. By focusing on delivering value as soon as work is completed, teams can respond rapidly to changing customer needs and market conditions. This life cycle is particularly effective in environments where priorities shift frequently, and there's a need for rapid turnaround without the constraints of fixed-length iterations.