Lean Methodology: A Guide to Lean Six Sigma, Agile Project Management, Scrum and Kanban for Beginners

By Robert McCarthy

If you want to know how to establish more effective projects and processes within your company without having to change the organization, then keep reading.

Several methods for managing projects have been designed to define how project managers and their teams work and communicate.

Understanding how these methodologies function ensures ease in workflow and prompt delivery of results.

As an effective project manager, it is essential to know which method is most appropriate to avoid wasting resources.

For businesses to effectively measure or manage projects and processes, ideal project management methods that can control and monitor these projects should always be adopted.

Experts and industry leaders have identified many of these technologies, and some of them have gained fame across the globe.

It is important to understand these methods better and consider some variations.

This book sheds some light on methodologies like the Lean and Agile frameworks. With it, you can gather information, learn more about components in lean project management, and how this will enable you to reach your intended goals.

"Management must Manage." What Harold S. Geneen is saying with this quote is that those tasked with management responsibilities must execute those responsibilities to the best of their ability, and you get the best results when you use the right project management methodologies in execution.

Here's just a tiny fraction of what you'll discover:
- What project management is and its different methodologies
- How to choose the right methodology for your project, ensure you measure what matters, and avoid overshooting your budget
- The role of a project manager.
- A step-by-step guide to designing effective systems approach in planning, scheduling, and controlling large scale projects and processes
- What Lean really means
- How to set up lean teams
- How do you begin a lean project?
- The link and differences between Lean startup and Enterprise
- Latent structures of Lean six sigma and Agile framework
- Deep dive into the mechanics of Scrum and Kanban
- And much, much more!

If you are really serious about improving your agility with project management, then this might be the most important book you'll read.

So, what are you waiting for?
Get a copy right away and let it guide you today.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert McCarthy
• Release date: Mar 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393004530

Book preview

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Introduction

You may have come across the phrase, Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans. This applies to a business, too. A business should learn to change or adapt to change since things never go according to plan. The same can be said about the different teams in an organization. In this era of technology, many businesses are shifting toward artificial intelligence and automation. A machine can perform different processes. For example, if you own a company that sells cassettes, you know you cannot make sales because the world has moved on from cassettes to storing music on mobile devices. The same can be said about some processes in an organization.

Many processes in organizations become redundant over a period, and they should be removed from the organization. It is only when the business can do this that it can apply one of the new-age project management methodologies. Throughout this book, you will gather information about the basics of project management. You will learn more about what the role of a project manager is and how you should choose the right methodology for your project.

Numerous project management methodologies have been developed to improve businesses and processes. You must understand these methodologies to ensure that you know what method to choose. Having said that, you cannot expect a method that worked in one company to work in yours. Each team is different, and the same goes for your team, too. When you choose a project management methodology for your team or business, remember that you need to tweak the method so that it works well for you and your team.

This book also sheds some light on methodologies like Lean and Agile. You will gather information about lean project management and learn more about the different components of lean project management. You will gather information on how to start a lean project and also learn more about lean six sigma. The book also details the agile framework and addresses the different methodologies that come under the umbrella of the agile framework. It is only when you fully understand these concepts that you can work better with your teams.

PART ONE: Project Management Basics

Chapter One: Project Management Methodologies

What Is Project Management?

A project is often a temporary undertaking for creating a specific service, product, or obtaining the desired result. The scope and resources involved for completing a project are always defined along with the time taken for its completion. Apart from this, the dates on which the project will start and end are also identified. In this sense, the project is a temporary endeavor. A project is different from all the other routine operations taking place in an organization. It has a unique purpose and includes specific operations that are designed with the sole purpose of attaining unique goals. All the members present in a project work towards attaining a singular goal. It means that even those employees who don’t usually work together are clubbed together for attaining these goals. All the members of a project team don’t necessarily have to be from the same organization and, at times, are from different organizations across various geographies. Creation of software to streamline business operations, constructing a new building, working together after a natural calamity, and expanding into new markets are all examples of projects.

Given the complexity of a project, it is quintessential that they are thoroughly managed for delivering results on time while sticking to the budget forecast. Therefore, project management is the application of different skills, tools, knowledge, and techniques associated with all project-related activities for obtaining the project goals. Project management has always been a part of any organization or enterprise. However, it was only during the mid-twentiethcentury that it was recognized as a distinct profession. There are five processes involved in any project management, and they are initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closing.

Integration, scope, cost, time, quality, human resources, procurement, communications, stakeholder management, and risk management are all the different areas of knowledge involved in project management. Management is often concerned with all these areas. However, project management does lend a unique focus based on the goals, resources, and schedules associated with each project.

Project Management Methodologies

Project management methodology refers to the different practices, techniques, rules, and procedures used by a project manager. Examples of project management methodologies include Six Sigma, Kanban, Agile, and so on. These methodologies encompass different processes that offer guidance to project managers through different stages of a project and enable them to complete various tasks involved. They essentially help to manage and maximize the resources as well as the time available.

Selecting the right project management methodology is an important duty. Project managers understand its importance since it is essential for getting the work done effectively and efficiently. There are different types of project management methodologies,and no one size fits all solution is available. In fact, there is no such thing as the right methodology that the manager can choose—it principally means that you cannot opt for one methodology for all the different projects you undertake. Depending on the scope and requirements of the project, the management methodology you use will change. In this section, you will learn about the most popular project management methodologies.

Agile

One of the popular project management methodologies today is Agile. It is well-suited for all such projects that are incremental and iterative. It consists of processes wherein demands as well as solutions are obtained via collaborative efforts of cross-functional teams, self-organization, and the customers. Initially, it was created with the aim of software development. Agile was established to cope with the shortcomings of the Waterfall method. The processes of this were incapable of meeting the various demands of an extremely competitive and constantly changing environment of the software industry.

The values, as well as the principles of Agile project management methodology, are obtained from the Agile manifesto. Thirteen industry leaders formalized this declaration in 2001. Agile project management aimed to come up with different ways to develop software by providing a measurable and clear structure. This structure supports iterative development, recognition of changes, and provides a framework for team collaborations. There are twelve key principles, along with four fundamental values that form the basis of Agile project management methodology.

The values of this methodology are as follows:

Emphasis is placed on interactions as well as individuals, more than on the tools and processes involved.

Priority is given to customer collaboration instead of contract negotiation.

Instead of comprehensive documentation, this framework enables the working of the software.

Instead of blindly following a plan, Agile methodology fosters better responses to change.

The principles of this management methodology are as follows:

Customer satisfaction is ensured via continuous and early software delivery.

The requirements of a project keep changing throughout the developmental process. Agile management helps accommodate all of these requirements.

Continuous delivery of working software.

It provides a basis for collaborative efforts between developers as well as the business stakeholders during the entire duration of the project.

It helps foster trust, motivation, and support amongst all those who are involved.

It increases the scope for face-to-face interactions.

The primary measure of progress used in this methodology is the working software.

It creates a basis for the consistent and continuous pace of development.

The simplicity it offers is unlike other methodologies.

Great attention to design and technical details.

The self-organization of teams prompts the development of designs, requirements, and architectures.

It provides scope for regular reviews to improve effectiveness.

The adaptiveness of Agile methodology comes in handy, especially while working on

Reviews for Lean Methodology

[John Kenneth Vertido · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is the best for entrepreneurs, this is the best way to guide when entering a business. Highly recommended for begginers that is planning to enter entrepreneurship.

[Wonderweiss Roslo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you read one book on entrepreneurship, let this be it. It summarizes a lot of the 'best' ideas in entrepreneurship (Steve Blank, Eric Ries, others) and gives you a very practical guide to getting started. At one point in the past, it would have been possible to 'push' a product onto users. Now, unless you are a company like Apple it is almost impossible. There are thousands of other start-ups that will do what you do AND listen to users.

[Harvey Woods · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book breaks it down pretty well...I actually feel like I just got a years worth of business courses in less than a day. If you are new to Lean or just wanting to better your Manufacturing processes, buy this book. I highly recommend for the beginner or advanced just wanting to refresh their lean knowledge.

[Lancy Lass · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This provided me with an excellent rundown of what several businesses are currently focused on. The book is fantastic and jam packed of information on Lean Methodology. I am better able to see if it will help me. It covers certain fundamentals and serves as a good introduction to agile project management for those who are new to the field. It comes with my highest recommendation.

[Lifred Marzan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are many methodologies in handling a business but this book focuses on the system of Lean Methodology. It also talks about other methodologies to compare, contrast, and discuss about their functions, benefits and how they can be used together. This book discusses and reminds its readers of all the responsibilities and requirements that you needed to be done to be successful in applying Lean Methodology. This is a good book, simple and easy to understand.

[Elizabeth Lasibal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was so factful and a very good book to read about the sigmas. All terms are eaay to understand thanks to the author. I learned a lot. Processes and the facts you must learn is in your hand to reach with this.

[Scotty Voltaire · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This short book does what it says it does. You get a concise yet accurate overview of what Lean Methodology is and some suggestions for further reading. If you are looking to learn more about lean six sigma, scrum, or agile then look no further. This book is a great entry way into learning this business/manufacturing methodology.

[Enmar David · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a perfect one. More improvements, less waste, simple application of lean and better companies. Recommended ?

[Tolits Mendoza · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good book for breaking down each section within the title. The content is a bit light on providing more explanation on the methods provided. Overall good book to continue furthering yourself and others around

[Romelyn Castro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a helpful tool especially to those who are handling projects and business. I like how it was thoroughly explained and easy to understand. Good work, Author!

[Joshua Montesino · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Logical strategies are not utilized adequately except if there is a cycle for applying them and an outlook of ceaseless improvement making the requirement for them. An improvement interaction doesn't create the ideal outcomes except if it incorporates the devices and procedures that characterize the movement of the cycle steps and there is a culture that demands foundational information based way to deal with taking care of issues.
At last, a culture that looks to constantly improve will be baffled if there are no apparatuses and procedures for examination and no interaction or strategy that can be applied to arrange and center the improvement endeavors. Luckily, the Lean Six Sigma way to deal with business improvement incorporates each of the three layers.
To learn more on how you could run your business effective and efficient, reading this book is a great help.

[Shiela Latag · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A huge important information you will get about Six Sigma in this book. This book provide you lots of trips about six sigma methodology to an enterprise and manufacturing process. I get this book and i found it so much helpful to my business. I will suggest this book some of my elder brother and my close friend.

[Hestia Selin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lean is for maximizing the value of the customer while it reduces the resources that needed that value, it's just like high performance but low budget project. The book will help you find the good solution to a bad problem that every company is going through. It provides you with different strategies and tools for implementing the lean method and it is written in simple terms with helpful examples.

[Karl Angelo Gil · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

his is an interesting book to learn and understand Lean Six Sigma, The book is a detailed guide to using and protecting your equipment from time to time. Great tool.

[Julius Brigades · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This guidebook will provide you with the tools you need to work with Six Sigma and see an improvement in your business. Would recommend this collection to anyone pursuing their certs in Lean. It is an all-in-one book.

[Daisy Regala-Ando · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lean is a process of continuous improvement in minimizing waste or muda (Japanese term). As an Industrial Engineer this book is very useful, it can be use as our module in refreshing our mind in what we learn during those days in college because this book has it all. I salute the author of this book in providing us very precise information about lean considering this topic is very broad. Thanks for this author!

[Nelna Mae Nalangan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"All the members present in a project work towards attaining a singular goal."
This line alone speaks volume. This book is telling me that I cannot achieve the project's goals if I only depend on my self. I realized that as a leader, I am much comfortable to use Agile method and Lean methodology, and a mixture of both. Agile method teaches me to interact with others to achieve common goals. Lean methodolody teaches me to minimize wastage in every project. These methods are not only applicable to big companies and projects. I think these methods can also be used in school projects and community-based projects.

[Maria Clarissa Navarro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lean is the act of reducing waste and adding customer defined value to products and services. The definition of Lean tends to vary slightly depending upon the source, nevertheless the underlying meaning is the same. In the United States, the predominant thought is that Lean is a system of tools and techniques for reducing waste and adding value in every process. In Japan, Lean is considered a mindset and not a set of tools. The fundamental principles of Lean methodology are based on eliminating all forms of waste and increasing customer perceived value with everything we do. In addition, management must support and encourage the Lean mindset throughout the organization at all levels. Lean means doing more with less while doing it better. This such a great job. The author has strongly make review and research about this book. Great job!

[Ian E. Daguplo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Robert McCarthy had done amazing on this book. From the methodology on making a project successful, to helpful strategies that you may apply and the effective systems such as planning and designing were established well. I commend this book for giving detailed and appropriate processes for managing own project.

I recommend this book to all people who need guidance on establishing their work. It is really interesting and at the same time helpful.

[HANNAH · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you are having a hard time regarding time management, conflicts in schedules, being intrusive, struggling with your focus, and is anxious about what the outcome of the project will be, then this book is just as perfect to serve as your guide all throughout the working process. In mere workplaces that the workers are involved, one is entitled to be engaged with what task should be done in a certain given deadline or due date. But in order to accomplish the work, the people involved should work with full coordination and camaraderie. In a way, this book is informative, and is made more comprehensible suitable for people who want to achieve their goals in a smooth way. With this book, you can gather information, learn more about components in lean project management, and how this will enable you to reach your intended goals. Robert McCarthy delved deeper into providing different instructions and methodologies regarding the construction of an effective framework, the different set ups, the role of a project manager and his/her workmates, and the lean sigma. Written in a nice way, this book is a head start for work beginners who wish to improve.

[Jefferson Baniqued De Guzman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It covers some fundamental concepts and it's a good book for those new in the agile project management field. I do recommend it

[Lexi Shane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lean Methodology is a book that talks about various methods that can be utilized in projects within the company. The purpose of this book is to shed some light on the project supervisors and executives of appropriate methodologies that they can apply in projects that they are leading.

Part one of the book explains the basics of Project management, its methodologies, and how to choose the right methodology. Part two of the book explains lean project management. The last part is about Agile project management. One of the strengths of this book is how it is tailor-made for project leaders and business entities.

[Arvie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is suitable for those who have projects and business to further improve what they are handling. I liked how the author gave me, the reader, a deeper understanding of the concepts integrated in this book. Moreover, he provided the difference between Lean and Six Sigma where we have an overview as to where the concepts are mainly focused. Through knowing such, it would be beneficial for us to use the appropriate method to be used.

[Lyra Jhoana Marapao · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is totally a very informative and useful one. It gives me so much more ideas in planning a project and the stuffs needed in properly handling it. You'll learn different strategies that will actually help you in making such ideas as a beginner. Since it has many methodologies, you can choose the right methodology which where you are comfortable. This will serve as your guide most specially when you are planning to focus on lean project. This will help you a lot.

[Eduard Salvador · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although I'm not a business person nor a project manager, I learned a lot of things by reading this book. It taught me what it means to manage a project and the different methods/techniques used to insure that everything runs smoothly. I also liked that the writer used other books as reference for the topics he discussed. It gave me a better understanding of the terms used herein. The bits of history the writer used was also a plus for me. It gives that trivia aura which I like the most.

Project management is no easy task but with the right technique and method it can become a piece of cake. This book not only teaches you the different methods but it also tells the reader what is the best one for his/her upcoming project. This book helps you to adapt to Lean and Agile thinking that may come in handy for the future. The writer deserves a big two thumbs up for a work well done.

[Herlyn Martin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was so interesting and I think I found the nice book for my plans. As I discover a lot of things in here, I find it easy to understand as well. It clearly explained everything as it go through deep discussions of different methods, the whos and whats are in here smoothly tackled.

Nowadays, people are so desperate making such plans with good presentation but don't have so long-lasting idea at all. This book may help.

[Revi James · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book on Lean Methodology encompass my needs as an IT enthusiast most specially project management. Even before, I understood already that Lean Six Sigma, Lean Methodology, Agile, etc., is very important in the ever changing technological world. Having reviewed Mr. McCarthy's book on Lean Six Sigma, I find this book better in the terms of integration with other methodologies that are commonly used in the IT world. Good job and keep writing to inspire new tech guys like me to have an efficient, committed, reliable, and sustainable work experience!

[Sara Jane del Rosario · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you are looking for information that will help you on your plan project or business, this book is highly recommended for you. In this, you will learn how to start and improve your work using Lean and Agile thinking.

The author clearly elaborate and discuss what is the difference of the said two methodologies that will help individual easy to understand.

Good job author, thank you for sharing your book with us. God bless your journey as a writer. Keep writing!

[Shiks · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Lean Methodology is a good book for project management. This book may help the owner to build his/her own business establishment. This book gathers
information about lean project management and learn more about the different components of
lean project management. I just found a writing issue on this book such as the grammar, punctuation and conciseness though this book is still readable.

[Jhoannha Mhaye Tan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great book! It has all the information you need about Lean Six Sigma, it also has informatiins on how you can protect and improve your business or enterprise. I had a great time reading this book because I learned a lot. I higly recommend this book!