Agile UX vs Lean UX
We have seen what both approaches have in common, but some of the principles do not always overlap with each other. Let’s have a look at those principles and points on which “agile” and “lean” do not intersect.
1. MVP creation
To create a “minimal viable product”, “Lean UX” is the fastest approach to follow. This is because lean UX begins with assumptions and hypotheses. Lean UX has a principle that says to reduce waste, which means implementing fewer features would take a lesser amount of time to build. Creating an MVP using a lean approach is the best and fastest way of doing this. Both Agile and Lean follow different routes of execution for a project.
2. Core Value
Core values of the “Lean” and “Agile” approaches are very different when compared with principles. Agile majorly focuses on collaboration and enhancement of the product you’re working on. It aims to create one polished product. Whereas Lean majorly focuses on user value with continuous experimenting and testing with the product. Aiming to produce multiple polished variants, out of which one final product is picked.
3. Documentation
The Agile UX approach heavily depends upon documentation, from start to end everything is documented to keep track of tasks, processes, and results. Starting with the sprint planning to handing over the designs each step is properly documented. Whereas talking about the Lean UX approach, documentation is not so valued. Lean UX believes in a fast-paced environment where multiple products are obtained based on experiments. Documenting everything in lean ux practice would add up to the complexity and waste of time as later most of the products might be discarded.
4. Business & Market
The Lean UX approach focuses on matching the product to the business or market standards. Whereas Agile focuses on delivering a product that creates an impactor to test as per the market or business standards – Produces one polished product at the end after so many iterations.
Agile UX vs Lean UX: What’s the Difference
There has been confusion among most people about picking an approach from “Agile” and “Lean”. Especially when it comes to UX practitioners to adapt with either of these approaches. It is seen that Agile was initially just used for development and later UX has been added to the agile process, this makes the adaptation a bit tricky for the companies and sometimes it is just for the sake of it. To pick the best approach that suits your individual, team, and organizational level goals it is good to know about each of these approaches, their similarities, and differences to come to a better decision.