Why don't PMBOK integrates with LEAN Management? It would be a great deal, isn't?

Hi Syed,

The Lean management normally is applied in Enterprise context, not only to projects should be a way to improve the stream value flow of the company and consequently of the projects that executes.

As project manager normally you must follow the culture, policies and rules that you company applies after all is all about context, there is nothing in the PMIBOK that block this practices.

PMI already integrated deeply lean in the Discipline agile toolkit and emphasizes good practices of lean in several process goals and some lifecycles.

Being aware that the next edition of the PMBOK already incorporates a lot of hybrid and agile context probably is expected that some components of Lean can be included also there.

I think some members of the community like @Kiron and @Sergio can give you more information about the future PMBOK7 and if references to lean are introduced there. Nevertheless to succed in project management reducing waste, continuous improving, quality, flexibility etc... Is all a matter of common sense that you could apply during the project lifecycle.

Alexandre

Hi Syed,

The Lean management normally is applied in Enterprise context, not only to projects should be a way to improve the stream value flow of the company and consequently of the projects that executes.

As project manager normally you must follow the culture, policies and rules that you company applies after all is all about context, there is nothing in the PMIBOK that block this practices.

PMI already integrated deeply lean in the Discipline agile toolkit and emphasizes good practices of lean in several process goals and some lifecycles.

Being aware that the next edition of the PMBOK already incorporates a lot of hybrid and agile context probably is expected that some components of Lean can be included also there.

I think some members of the community like @Kiron and @Sergio can give you more information about the future PMBOK7 and if references to lean are introduced there. Nevertheless to succed in project management reducing waste, continuous improving, quality, flexibility etc... Is all a matter of common sense that you could apply during the project lifecycle.

Alexandre

Syed, agree,

Lean Management is seen by PMBoK as one of several lifecycles to create a product. The attached agile practice guide positions lean as an umbrella covering all things agile and Kanban. This thinking might change with ed7 and DA.

Also in PMBoK ed6 itself, lean is mentioned several times in the context of specific techniques, like lean six sigma, or lean resource management techniques. Do not know if that changes a lot in ed7, but doubt it.

I see lean rather as a mindset than a guidance. Many projects benefit from structure, governance and processes as they are needed for high performance/efficiency.

The problem is try to integrate an approach to a discipline. Lean, Agile and others must not be integrated to the PMBOK because they must be totally independent of the project management theory. We need to remember what project management is. The problem is the PMI is contributing to the general confusion mixing approach, life cycle model, life cycle process, methods and tools. Because of that the new PMBOK is trying to change the way project management is defined. In my personal opinion the PMI is taking the first step to fail just for trying to keep the business open.

Thanks for your valuable comment.

Lean (whether manufacturing or knowledge work based) is complementary to the PMBOK. There are references within the Guide to specific lean techniques and many of the principles associated with lean also are relevant in project management.