Using Lean Six Sigma to Improve Agile: Lessons Learned in a Start-up

Agile is seen by many as a progression from the traditional 'waterfall' approach, considered too formal to adapt to the fast changing business environment. Like in any other approach, there is room for improvement for teams using Agile. Lean Six Sigma was used for decades as a tool for process improvement on the assumption that "what you can't measure you can't improve".

In principle Lean (eliminate waste by process standardization) is fundamentally opposed to Agile (embracing change even late in the process). Six Sigma can be the balance between Lean and Agile, measuring the impact of Lean and/or Agile initiatives.

This presentation is based on a real case study, using Lean Six Sigma's Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC) process to make the Scrum process more efficient in a software start-up.