Applying lean principles to project management provides a simple, flexible, and tailored approach to projects of any scale. This allows SMEs to maximise their competitive advantages, such as flexibility and innovation, while minimising bureaucracy and waste.

Introducing the Lean Project Delivery System (LPDS) Framework

The LPDS framework aligns the five conventional project phases with Womack and Jones’ five core Lean principles: Identify Value, Map the Value Stream, Create Flow, Establish Pull, and Pursue Perfection.

In this five-part series, we will look at each of these principles in turn and how they can be applied to project delivery.

Part 1: Project Initiation | Identifying Value

The primary goal in the initiation phase of a project is understanding customer requirements and ensuring that the project offers good business value, thereby preventing waste (for example, by over-engineering the delivered solution).

To set projects up for success from the outset, consider implementing the following good practices:

Early Stakeholder Dialogue

It is essential to establish effective dialogue with the customer right from the start. This ensures you fully understand and clarify requirements, eliminating ambiguity. Make sure you understand who the key stakeholders are, their interests, and their sphere of influence.

Concise Business Case

Create a simple, one-page business case that defines:

• Why the project is being performed.
• It’s expected benefits.
• The clear link between the project and the overall business strategy.

This document communicates the project to stakeholders and serves as a future reference point.

Project Charter

Create a project charter to communicate the project vision, goals, scope, success factors, and organisational structure concisely to all stakeholders.

Requirements Compliance Matrix

One of my personal favourites…This live document is used to define every project requirement and to document the evidence of compliance against each. Sharing it with the customer ensures requirements and deliverables are aligned, correctly interpreted, and helps to prevent over-delivery and scope creep.

Look out for Part 2, which will focus on Mapping the Value Stream and the Planning phase.