The SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM) and Lean Startup methodologies are two popular approaches to agile project management that share several key similarities, yet differ in their specific focus and implementation.
Accelerating Success with SAFe POPM Practices .
SAFe POPM is a framework developed by Scaled Agile, Inc. that aims to provide a comprehensive set of guidelines for managing product development in large-scale enterprises. The role of the Product Owner/Product Manager in SAFe POPM is to act as the primary liaison between the development team and the customer, ensuring that the product meets the needs and expectations of the end-users. The SAFe framework emphasises the importance of collaboration, communication, and continuous feedback in order to deliver value to customers quickly and efficiently.
On the other hand, Lean Startup is a methodology developed by Eric Ries that is focused on helping startups and small businesses build and launch successful products. The Lean Startup approach is based on the principles of lean manufacturing and agile development, with a strong emphasis on experimentation, iteration, and learning from failures. The goal of Lean Startup is to develop a minimum viable product (MVP) quickly, test it with real users, and then use the feedback to iterate and improve the product over time.

While both SAFe POPM and Lean Startup share a common foundation in agile principles, they differ in their focus and application. SAFe POPM is geared towards large enterprises with complex product development processes, while Lean Startup is more tailored to startups and small businesses looking to rapidly innovate and iterate on their products.
In conclusion, both SAFe POPM and Lean Startup offer valuable insights and tools for agile project management, but they are best suited for different contexts and goals. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each methodology, project managers can choose the approach that best aligns with their specific needs and objectives.