Software development (SD) has emerged as a vital component of the economy, contributing significantly to GDP and exports in various countries. To address the increasing pressure to deliver high-quality software quickly and cost-effectively, the implementation of lean principles in SD projects has gained attention. This paper presents a case study analysis of five SD organizations to identify lean principles/practices suitable for SD projects and to explore the challenges hindering their implementation. The paper provides a theoretical background on lean, reviews relevant literature, describes the case studies conducted, presents a cross-case analysis, and discusses the insights gained, including issues in lean adoption, conclusions, and future scope.