Implementing lean thinking in software development - a case study from India

Abstract

Implementation of lean thinking (LT) in the service sector has been widely reported. Although few studies describing the application of LT in software development (SD) are available, not many are from an emerging market such as India. Our study addresses this gap by using a single-case study methodology to understand the lean approach adapted by a firm in India to overcome the issues faced in its SD process. Data were collected through direct observation for a period of one year. Difficulty in integrating work from various teams, long release cycles for the developed software products, late shipments, quality issues, customers' dissatisfaction, and high operational costs were the problems faced by the case company. These problems motivated the case company to adopt LT at the team level by following the scrum process. This study identified how the LT approach guided the case company to achieve responsiveness, regular interaction between employees, involvement of customers, and accomplishing targets within the planned timeline. This study helps both academicians and practitioners to understand the approach followed to implement LT in a SD firm in India.