I wish the author would go back and read the Poppendieks' books on Lean Software Development. The Popppendieks make the following points:

* Software development is design rather than manufacturing.

* Software manufacturing is CI/CD.

* The Toyota Production System (TPS) starts with an idea for a product, and not with building the product.

* Design is a core part of the TPS.

* Building the assembly line is part of TPS.

Sadly the essay argues against Lean Software Development by arguing that it says exactly the opposite.