Agile Metrics: Measuring Outcomes and Results

When organizations move to agile approaches, two very common metric anti-patterns surface: (1) The organization doesn’t change its metrics at all and simply continues to measure as they always have; or (2) The organization throws out every metric and just focuses on velocity and trying to increase it. Both of these anti-patterns lead to metrics dysfunction and disastrous results. Bob Galen explains that agile organizations should be developing their measurement strategies early. He explores unhealthy metrics (for example, velocity) and the drives behind measuring them. Then he describes alternative metrics that produce the same insights but are more outcome and results oriented. Bob examines the outcome approach of other potentially healthier measures, including defect escapes, team health, sprint escapes, team agitation, sprint success rates, and impediment handling. This approach focuses on customer outcomes and business results rather than simply measuring something in order to manage it. Finally, Bob discusses trending over single measures and how to make that visible and actionable within your organization.