Founder and CEO of A Starting Line. Chief Organizer at Lean Startup Challenge. Entrepreneur. Ex-cofounder and Chief Engagement Officer at GearSay, Inc.
Get It Done Girl. Marketer. Events Producer. Fashionista and Apparel Manufacturing Consultant. Lean Startup-er.
Everyone who has answered is correct so far. The term and principles of "Lean" have existed for a long time. You can also check with the Lean Enterprise Institute (http://www.lean.org/). The term was coined in the late 80's by MIT prof Jim Womack to describe Toyota's process (http://www.lean.org/WhatsLean/)