Lean Development is a software development methodology that emphasizes efficiency, waste reduction, and delivering value to the customer as quickly as possible. Inspired by lean manufacturing principles, particularly those pioneered by Toyota, Lean Development focuses on optimizing the development process by eliminating activities that do not add value to the end product. This includes minimizing unnecessary documentation, reducing handoffs, and avoiding rework by addressing potential issues early in the development cycle. Lean Development encourages continuous improvement through iterative feedback and promotes a culture of collaboration and accountability within development teams.

A key principle of Lean Development is delivering small, incremental releases of software that can be tested and validated by users, allowing teams to quickly adapt to changing requirements or market conditions. By prioritizing customer needs and focusing on delivering high-quality software with minimal waste, Lean Development aims to create products that better meet user expectations while reducing time to market. Lean Development also advocates for empowering teams, fostering a culture of innovation, and continuously refining processes to improve overall efficiency and effectiveness.