genchi-genbutsu

According to Mary & Tom Poppendieck's Implementing Lean Software Development, genchi-genbutsu means "go, see and confirm". I think it's a very powerful image for software development--when we have first-hand experience of what our customer values, we're more likely to understand its essence and to successfully make a minimalist implementation. It also sets up the relationship for us to ask customers directly about design tradeoffs. So, go, see what your customers are really doing, and find a way to make that go more smoothly--but ask them first about your ideas, to make sure you've understood the process.