Scrum guide · Scrum basics
Scrum vs Lean: Differences, Similarities and Using Both
Lean is a broad management philosophy about maximising value and eliminating waste. Scrum is a specific framework for complex product work. They overlap a lot, and the Scrum Guide itself says Scrum employs Lean thinking.
Key takeaways
- Lean is a philosophy; Scrum is a framework.
- Both focus on value, small batches and continuous improvement.
- Use Lean tools to improve the system around Scrum teams.
Side by side
| Lean | Scrum | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Toyota manufacturing | Software and product development |
| Type | Philosophy and toolset | Framework |
| Focus | Flow and eliminating waste across the value stream | Delivering increments through empiricism |
| Structure | No fixed iterations or roles | Sprints, accountabilities, events |
| Typical metrics | Lead time, flow efficiency | Velocity, Sprint Goal success |
Combining them
- Use value stream mapping to find waste around Scrum teams.
- Limit work in progress within the Sprint.
- Track flow metrics alongside velocity.
- Apply the seven wastes in Retrospectives.
Frequently asked questions
How are Scrum and Lean related?
Scrum is an Agile framework that explicitly uses Lean thinking, but it is not one of the classic Lean methods.
Should we choose Lean or Scrum?
They are complementary. Many organisations use Lean principles across the whole system and Scrum within product teams.
What is the main difference between Scrum and Lean?
Lean is a broad philosophy about maximising customer value and eliminating waste across a whole value stream. Scrum is a specific framework with Sprints, accountabilities, events and artifacts for complex product work.
Which came first, Lean or Scrum?
Lean. It comes from the Toyota Production System, developed from the late 1940s, while Scrum was first presented in 1995. See Lean manufacturing.
Does the Scrum Guide link Scrum and Lean?
Yes. The 2020 Scrum Guide says Scrum is founded on empiricism and Lean thinking, which reduces waste and focuses on essentials.
Is Kanban Lean or Scrum?
Kanban comes from Lean. It is a flow-based method rather than part of Scrum, though Scrum teams often borrow Kanban practices. See Lean Kanban.
How can teams use Lean and Scrum together to cut waste?
Teams can look for waste such as waiting, handoffs, half-finished work and unused features, and address it through Retrospectives and backlog decisions.
Which tools combine Lean and Scrum well?
Value stream mapping, WIP limits, flow metrics such as cycle time, and root-cause techniques such as Five Whys all fit well alongside Scrum.
Do Lean and Scrum define the same roles?
No. Lean does not prescribe team roles such as Product Owner or Scrum Master, although Lean organisations often have improvement leaders and value stream owners.
Is Lean Agile the same as combining Lean and Scrum?
Not exactly. Lean Agile is a general term for combining Lean principles, such as flow and waste reduction, with Agile values and frameworks, of which Scrum is one. Scaling frameworks such as SAFe describe themselves in Lean-Agile terms.
Which is faster, Lean or Scrum?
Neither is inherently faster. Lean focuses on shortening lead time across the whole system, while Scrum gives a regular cadence of delivery; many organisations use both together.