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“So how does Lean fit with Macroscope?” “Are they compatible or essentially different?” “When would you use one or the other?”
These and similar questions come up on a regular basis. Here are a few thoughts to trigger some discussion.
First, Agile is not a method as such, but a family of approaches and methods mainly focused on the design and implementation of the software aspect of the system. It is the same for methods such as RAD (Rapid Application Development), XP (Extreme Programming) and other SCRUM-like approaches.
Macroscope is an integrated methodology framework covering multiple "domains of intervention" from defining a business vision (Vision domain), developing business capabilities and technology (Architecture domain), designing, operating and evolving information systems (Solution domain), managing projects (Project domain) and managing portfolios of Benefits Realization programs (Benefits domain).
I had an interesting question recently, from a person who had just been introduced to Macroscope. The person was a specialist in the implementation of products from one of the major ERP vendors. In essence, the question was, “Why can’t I get everything in one place that I need to do an implementation of ___ (Product ‘XYZ’)?” He was asking why it was necessary to go to the Project domain for all the PM material, to the Solution domain for the general -purpose SDLC material, and to the XYZ vendor’s methodology for the product-specific material.
I gave a partial answer right away, but after some more thinking, here’s a more complete answer.
