Lean Software Management: BBC Worldwide Case Study

Lean Software Management: BBC Worldwide Case Study

This case study examines how the lean ideas behind the Toyota production system can be applied to software project management. It is a detailed investigation of the performance of a nine-person software development team employed by BBC Worldwide based in London. The data collected in 2009 involved d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on engineering management 2012-02, Vol.59 (1), p.20-32
Main Authors: Middleton, P., Joyce, D.
Format: Article
Language:eng
Subjects:
Agile
Automotive components
BBC
Boards
capability maturity model integrated (CMMI)
Computer programs
development
Kanbans
lead time
lean
Lean manufacturing
Meetings
Organizations
Performance evaluation
process
Process control
Productivity
Programming
Project management
Software
Software development
statistical process control
Studies
Systems development
Teams
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Summary:This case study examines how the lean ideas behind the Toyota production system can be applied to software project management. It is a detailed investigation of the performance of a nine-person software development team employed by BBC Worldwide based in London. The data collected in 2009 involved direct observations of the development team, the kanban boards, the daily stand-up meetings, semistructured interviews with a wide variety of staff, and statistical analysis. The evidence shows that over the 12-month period, lead time to deliver software improved by 37%, consistency of delivery rose by 47%, and defects reported by customers fell 24%. The significance of this work is showing that the use of lean methods including visual management, team-based problem solving, smaller batch sizes, and statistical process control can improve software development. It also summarizes key differences between agile and lean approaches to software development. The conclusion is that the performance of the software development team was improved by adopting a lean approach. The faster delivery with a focus on creating the highest value to the customer also reduced both technical and market risks. The drawbacks are that it may not fit well with existing corporate standards.
ISSN:0018-9391
1558-0040