The Meaning of Lean...

Its been said, Lean is just a fad suggesting people do not have to learn what it means to be ‘lean’. Granted over the years methodologies have come on gone (see post Lean is Easy, After it's Not), the notion of Lean has staying power. Lean thinking is quite simply applying the scientific method to life.

What is Lean? It’s the process of obtaining ongoing frequent incremental verification of ideas combined with efficient resource allocation applied in a specific context. In other words, it can help with just about any problem you want to solve. You could be building a startup and looking for the business model your customers will embrace or facing one of life’s great challenges and not sure how to proceed. Being lean is a way of breaking down larger complex problems into smaller chunks that can each be tested to determine how best to deal it before committing enormous resources to the big problem.

Being lean is a state of mind. Recognize the limitations of your own insights and the need to seek external feedback.