Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Lean software development is an Agile methodology that focuses on process optimization, primarily through the elimination of waste, continuous improvement, and maximizing value delivered to the customer. It is inspired by Lean principles from manufacturing (such as the Toyota Production System), adapted to software development.

Key aspects of Lean in IT management context include:

Identifying and removing activities that do not add value to the customer.

Shortening cycle times and improving flow of work.

Encouraging continuous improvement (Kaizen) and optimizing the entire process, not just individual steps.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Feature-driven development (FDD) – Emphasizes designing and building by features with a strong modeling component, but its core focus is not specifically process optimization.

B. Dynamic systems development – Focuses on delivering systems in tight timeframes with user involvement, but is not defined primarily by Lean-style process optimization.

D. Extreme programming (XP) – Focuses on high-quality code and engineering practices (pair programming, test-driven development, continuous integration), rather than process optimization through waste elimination as its central principle.

Thus, Lean software development is the Agile methodology most directly associated with process optimization.