Created: 20 March 2023

Lean Management: Learn How to Lead an IT Company

Are you wondering how to properly lead your IT company? Read here to find out how lean management can help you be a great leader for your IT company.

If you want your company to be experienced and savvy, it all starts with leadership. Leadership in the area of Information Technology (IT) is one of the most valuable places where you can apply leadership to a business. 

Globally, the field of Information Technology is one of the largest in the world. It has a market value of approximately $8,852 billion, and is growing at a more than 8% rate. 

Learning a little bit of lean management can carry you far if you're willing to put in the work. 

Here's how you can become a better lean leader so that you can do what's best for your company.  

What Is Lean Management?

First, make sure that you understand lean management, what it is, and why it's important. Lean is a type of methodology that is built to optimise the way your company is run, how you collaborate, and how you deliver finished products to the public. 

There are several benefits of lean management, including:

• High morale for your company or team
• You lower your company costs and can save time
• It reduces waste and improves productivity
• You'll get better quality control and transparency
• The people that work for you will get more from their potential

Any company leader can benefit from learning lean management. It's one of the most effective types of management that you can embrace, and there are plenty of career advancement opportunities available for people who embrace this methodology.  

Learn the Major Principles

In order to make the most out of lean leadership for your IT company, it starts with understanding the major principles of the methodology. This leadership style is like a language of sorts. Understanding the principles will help you adapt and fit your own personality and strengths into the framework. 

Some of the main principles of lean management include:

• Defining the value of what you're setting out to do
• Create a value stream that you can follow and capitalise on
• Set up a workflow that is helpful to your company
• Map out your goals and objectives for achieving them
• Rework and revisit the things that work and don't work 

When you know the principles of lean management it'll help you lead your company in the right direction. Make sure that you are dedicated to continuing your education so that you're equipped to last as a leader for years to come. 

Know the Roles and Structure

Once you become familiar with lean management and your role in bolstering your company, you will be in a better position to steer your company and IT department where it needs to be. 

Part of leadership also means outlining a structure for the people that work under you. For example, lean leadership boils down to the senior level, programmatic level, and tactical level. 

At the senior level, you're creating a strategy from the top down, and will provide oversight to the other tiers. This level includes CEOs, presidents, and other senior-level roles. 

At the programmatic level, you have leaders who direct people underneath them and push the pace and direction of the goals. This level includes professionals like directors and vice presidents. 

At the tactical level, you have leaders who are more on the ground floor guiding individuals and small teams. These include professionals like supervisors and managers. 

Make sure that the tenets of lean are being taught and passed down every step of the way so that your company has structure, and so that your IT performance doesn't miss a beat.  

How Can You Become a Better Lean Leader?

Now that you understand the importance of lean and its core principles, it's time to put your all into improving your leadership capability. Everyone has their own style and trajectory, but some key points remain constant. 

Stay Up-to-Date With Lean

Though lean management principles have been established and around since the 90s, the practice is constantly evolving. Make sure that you're willing to keep learning and improving your ability to adapt. 

Professionals are routinely exchanging notes, developing software, and holding seminars to help people get better at these principles. 

Get Formal Training

Never shy away from getting formal training to help you improve your lean management ability. Use these opportunities to not only learn the skills, but also make sure that you're chaining them together to create the next big opportunity. 

There are several certifications that you can get to continue your education and open yourself to more and better career roles. Set goals to add new certifications to your toolkit and find mentors that can help you out. 

Build Your Resume

Finally, make sure that you also build your resume with noteworthy achievements and experience. Once you have learned more lean management skills, challenge yourself by taking on new leadership roles. 

You can beef up your resume with examples of times that you have led a team and gotten results in the process.  

Work on Your Lean Leadership 

These lean management tips will help you when you're interested in doing what's best for your company now and in the future. Lean leadership doesn't happen overnight – you need to follow the steps that will make you more skilled and capable. 

Advised Skills can help you get the thorough training and information that you need. If you're ready to learn more, contact us online or by calling +44 (0) 20 3598 3287 (United Kingdom) and +1(929)255-1300 (United States).

We can also be reached at branches in Poland, Germany, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, and India. 

 Żaneta Chmielewska - Blog Author 
A very experienced HR Manager. Associated with the automation industry and advanced AI algorithms.
She has extensive experience in managing programs and projects with excellent communication skills.
Privately, a lover of music festivals, cooking and skiing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Lean Management and how does it apply to IT companies?
   Lean Management is a business methodology that aims to maximize customer value while minimizing waste. It's based on continuous improvement, respect for people, and efficient use of resources. In IT companies, Lean Management helps streamline processes, improve project delivery, and enhance overall productivity by eliminating non-value-adding activities and focusing on delivering high-quality products and services to customers.
2. How can I learn Lean Management to lead my IT company?
   AdvisedSkills offers a comprehensive Lean Management course specifically designed for IT companies. You can enroll in the course to gain insights into Lean principles, tools, and techniques that will help you lead your IT company more effectively. Visit https://www.advisedskills.com/ for more information and to sign up for the course.
3. What topics are covered in the Lean Management course for IT companies?
   The course covers various topics, including Lean principles and concepts, waste identification and reduction, process improvement, value stream mapping, Kanban, continuous improvement, and Lean leadership. You'll learn practical skills and techniques to apply Lean Management in your IT company, making it more efficient and customer-centric.
4. Who should take the Lean Management course for IT companies?
   The Lean Management course is designed for IT professionals, including business owners, managers, team leaders, project managers, and anyone interested in implementing Lean principles within their IT organization. The course is also beneficial for professionals seeking to enhance their management skills and improve their understanding of Lean concepts.
5. How long does the Lean Management course take, and what is the mode of learning?
   The Lean Management course duration varies depending on the format you choose. AdvisedSkills offers flexible learning options, including self-paced online courses, live virtual classroom sessions, and in-person workshops. You can select the learning format that best suits your needs and schedule. For more information on course duration and formats, please visit https://www.advisedskills.com/.