Coursera

Lean Software Development (Coursera)

Offered by University of Minnesota,

While scrum and XP were transforming the software development industry, there were another set of ideas (derived from lean manufacturing and Six Sigma) that started to influence software development methods. These ideas around Lean Software Development forms the foundation of number of agile methods. In this course, we will explore lean concepts and cover some of the common Lean methods and techniques like Kanban, Value Stream Mapping, etc.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

In this course, we will also learn techniques like Lean Startup and Design Thinking that can help team learn about user and market needs much faster and cheaper.
As part of this course, you will also apply the knowledge gained in this course to fictional case studies. These projects will help you gain experience to confidently apply these techniques in real world.
At the end of the course, you will be able to apply lean techniques / methods to software development. You will also be able to apply methods to learn about your users and market needs much faster and cheaper.
Course 3 of 4 in the Software Development Lifecycle Specialization

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Lean Fundamentals
In this module, we will first learn about core lean principles from manufacturing. After that we will learn how you can apply these lean principles in software development. Finally we will learn about Lean Principles of software development in depth. At the end of this module, you will build the foundational knowledge around lean concepts.

WEEK 2
Kanban, Value Steam Mapping and Kaizen
In this module we will learn about Kanban and other Lean practices like Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen etc. You will gain the ability to participate effectively in using these tools and practices.

WEEK 3
Lean Startup
In this lesson we will learn techniques like Lean Startup and Design Thinking that can help your team learn about user and market needs much faster.

WEEK 4
Design Thinking
In this module, we will learn about a technique called "Learn Startup with Design Thinking". These techniques help the team learn about user needs. You will also get an opportunity to apply this technique on a fictional case study. At the end of this module, you will be able to uncover user needs using "Lean Startup with Design Thinking".

Go to Class

MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Coursera

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II (project-centered course) (Coursera)

CS: Software Engineering CS: Programming

In this project-centered course you will build a modern software hierarchy, designed to enable the translation and execution of object-based, high-level languages on a bare-bone computer hardware platform. In particular, you will implement a virtual machine and a compiler for a simple, Java-like programming language, and you will develop a basic operating system that closes gaps between the high-level language and the underlying hardware platform.

Nov 9th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Programming Java Operating Systems

Coursera

University of California, San Diego

Internet of Things: Setting Up Your DragonBoard™ Development Platform (Coursera)

Engineering Eng: Electronics

Do you want to develop skills to prototype mobile-enabled products using state-of-the-art technologies? In this course you will build a hardware and software development environment to guide your journey through the Internet of Things specialization courses. We will use the DragonBoard™ 410c single board computer (SBC).

Nov 16th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Operating Systems Software Development IoT

Coursera

IBM

Introduction to Agile Development and Scrum (Coursera)

CS: Software Engineering

After successfully completing this course, you will be able to embrace the Agile concepts of adaptive planning, iterative development, and continuous improvement - resulting in early deliveries and value to customers. This course will benefit anyone who wants to get started with working the Agile way. It is particularly suitable for IT practitioners such as software developers, development managers, project managers, product managers, and executives.

Nov 16th 2026

4 Weeks

Agile Agile Development Scrum

Coursera

Johns Hopkins University

The R Programming Environment (Coursera)

Statistics & Data Analysis Data Science

This course provides a rigorous introduction to the R programming language, with a particular focus on using R for software development in a data science setting. Whether you are part of a data science team or working individually within a community of developers, this course will give you the knowledge of R needed to make useful contributions in those settings.

Nov 2nd 2026

4 Weeks

Programming Data Science R Language

Coursera

University of Melbourne,The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Basic Modeling for Discrete Optimization (Coursera)

CS: Software Engineering

Optimization is a common form of decision making, and is ubiquitous in our society. Its applications range from solving Sudoku puzzles to arranging seating in a wedding banquet. The same technology can schedule planes and their crews, coordinate the production of steel, and organize the transportation of iron ore from the mines to the ports. Good decisions in manpower and material resources management also allow corporations to improve profit by millions of dollars.

Nov 9th 2026

4 Weeks

Programming Software Discrete Optimization

Coursera

Rice University

Algorithmic Thinking (Part 1) (Coursera)

CS: Theory

Experienced Computer Scientists analyze and solve computational problems at a level of abstraction that is beyond that of any particular programming language. This two-part class is designed to train students in the mathematical concepts and process of "Algorithmic Thinking", allowing them to build simpler, more efficient solutions to computational problems.

Nov 2nd 2026

4 Weeks

Python Computing Algorithms

Coursera

Rice University

An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 2) (Coursera)

CS: Software Engineering CS: Programming

This two-part course is designed to help students with very little or no computing background learn the basics of building simple interactive applications. Our language of choice, Python, is an easy-to learn, high-level computer language that is used in many of the computational courses offered on Coursera. To make learning Python easy, we have developed a new browser-based programming environment that makes developing interactive applications in Python simple.

Nov 2nd 2026

4 Weeks

Game Programming Python

Coursera

Vanderbilt University

Android App Components - Intents, Activities, and Broadcast Receivers (Coursera)

CS: Software Engineering

This MOOC builds upon the overview of Java and Android covered in Course 1 by delving deeper into core Android components, such as Activities, Broadcast Receivers, Intents, and Intent Filters. You will learn by example how to program these core Android components together with basic Java file I/O classes (such as File, InputStream, OutputWriter, etc.) and Android storage mechanisms (such as Shared Preferences).

Nov 2nd 2026

4 Weeks

Java Android Computer Programming

Coursera

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology - KAIST

Design Thinking and Global Startup (Coursera)

Business

This course offers a systematic engineering design methodology: Stanford Design Thinking for preparing global startup. The course empathizes the whole Stanford design thinking process, "Empathy-Define-Ideation-Prototype-Test," for building a startup with a business model that has a “customer truly need” component.

Nov 9th 2026

5-12 Weeks

Business Startup Business Strategy

Coursera

Rice University

Principles of Computing (Part 2) (Coursera)

CS: Software Engineering CS: Theory

This two-part course introduces the basic mathematical and programming principles that underlie much of Computer Science. Understanding these principles is crucial to the process of creating efficient and well-structured solutions for computational problems. To get hands-on experience working with these concepts, we will use the Python programming language. The main focus of the class will be weekly mini-projects that build upon the mathematical and programming principles that are taught in the class.

Nov 2nd 2026

4 Weeks

Programming Python Computing

Coursera

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

3D Printing Software (Coursera)

Management & Leadership Business

This course will demonstrate how to use 3D printing software to create digital designs that can be turned into physical objects. It will also demonstrate how 3D scanners work to turn physical objects into digital designs. This course is hands-on in nature and will provide step-by-step instructions to guide you through two popular 3D modeling programs, Tinkercad and Fusion 360.

Nov 2nd 2026

5-12 Weeks

Software Digital Design 3D Printing

Coursera

EIT Digital

System Validation (2): Model process behaviour (Coursera)

CS: Software Engineering

System Validation is the field that studies the fundamentals of system communication and information processing. It is the next logical step in computer science and improving software development in general. It allows automated analysis based on behavioural models of a system to see if a system works correctly. We want to guarantee that the systems does exactly what it is supposed to do.

Nov 9th 2026

3 Weeks

Computer Science Software Development System Validation