Operational
Development Velocity
Development Velocity is a metric used to measure the speed at which a software development team completes work items, typically expressed in terms of story points, features, or tasks completed in a given time frame. This metric helps assess productivity and forecast project timelines.
HOW TO MEASURE
Development Velocity is calculated by tracking the amount of work (e.g., story points, tasks, or user stories) completed in a specific iteration, such as a sprint in agile development. The average velocity over multiple iterations gives a more accurate picture of the team's capacity and efficiency.
HOW TO IMPROVE
Streamline Processes: Identify and remove bottlenecks in the development process.
Improve Team Collaboration: Enhance communication and coordination within the team.
Continuous Learning and Training: Invest in skill development and new technologies to increase efficiency.
Adopt Agile Methodologies: Implement agile practices like Scrum or Kanban to optimize workflow.
Use of Automation Tools: Integrate tools that automate repetitive tasks and testing procedures.
FORMULA
Development Velocity=Total Work Completed/Number of Iterations
EXAMPLE
If a development team completes 50 story points in the first sprint, 60 in the second, and 55 in the third, the average development velocity over these sprints would be: 50+60+55/3=55 story points per sprint
DEPARTMENT USAGE
Engineering/Development: Primary users of this metric to manage workloads and improve productivity.
Project Management: Uses velocity to plan sprints, allocate resources, and set realistic deadlines.
Leadership: Monitors development velocity to assess team performance and project health.
Development Velocity is essential for maintaining efficient production schedules in software development, helping teams to predict future performance based on past achievements and optimize their workflows accordingly.
View the collection of Metrics Workshops.