Exploring the Intersection of Lean and Agile: Lessons from Theodo
In this episode of the WLEI Podcast, we talk with Fabrice Bernhard and Catherine Chabiron. Fabrice is the co-founder of Theodo, a fast-growing software company, and Catherine is the author of the new book, Learning to Scale at Theodo: Growing a Fast and Resilient Company.
Fabrice and Catherine share how Theodo has seamlessly integrated lean thinking into its management system enabling it to grow rapidly while maintaining a customer-first mindset and ship quality software.
During the conversation, we dive into:
- Lean vs. Agile: How Theodo found lean thinking and how it complements agile, while challenging traditional perspectives in the software industry.
- Quality vs. Speed: Navigating the delicate balance between producing high-quality code and meeting the demands for rapid delivery.
- Customer Focus: How lean has enhanced Theodo’s customer-centric approach, making it a hallmark of their operations.
- Learning Organizations: The role of continuous learning in building resilient teams that not only solve technical problems but contribute to organizational growth.
- People Development: How Theodo leverages problem-solving at the gemba to foster a culture of continuous improvement and employee development.
Special note: During the conversation, we mention the book The Toyota Way of Dantotsu Radical Quality Improvement, which Theodo has been using to transform its approach to improving quality.