FEATURE : SOFTWARE of value delivered during a particular project . This is important because maximising throughput leads to happier customers and improved end-user experiences , which plays a huge role in driving both revenue and growth . Typically , throughput is usually measured on a week-byweek basis , but by also analysing it over a longer term , historical basis , teams can also understand how and why conflicting priorities can impact overall value .
2 . Cycle time . Cycle time focuses on the speed at which a team delivers value . This involves measuring the amount of time it takes for flow items to move from work start to work complete , taking into account active and wait times . Cycle time is just as important for driving growth and revenue as throughput because it makes it easier to provide project estimates and allocate resources and can result in tighter workflows and improved efficiency .
3 . Flow efficiency . Speaking of efficiency , flow efficiency is the ratio of active time to wait time , revealing where bottlenecks are occurring and whether process waste is increasing or decreasing . Ideally , teams should strive to have a flow efficiency rate exceeding 15 %. It ’ s perhaps unsurprising to note that waiting accounts for most cycle time , which in turn can create bottlenecks and add to production costs , but by measuring flow efficiency , teams can identify when workflows are taking too long and take steps to speed up individual processes .
4 . Work in progress . Work in progress is all about measuring demand . To do this , teams need to understand the number of flow items that are in active development or waiting within a value stream . Measuring work in progress can help leaders determine if value streams are over or underutilised . In particular , this process helps team leaders understand how specific employees are being utilised . By understanding the load being placed on each individual alongside their potential output , managers can strategically manage workloads and boost quality where needed . This can deliver significant benefits by reducing the risk of burnout and turnover , while also minimising development mistakes that require correction .
5 . Work profile . Measuring work profile can enable teams to focus on priority alignment .
It ’ s measured as a ratio of the four other flow items completed during a certain period of time .
Analysing work profile ensures that quality and productivity remain at optimal levels , improving CX and helping to maximise customer retention .
Analysing these key flow metrics can play a major role in helping organisations to more effectively align their business and software development goals .
With the right tools in place , teams can understand the impact of each key component to improve communication and agility . In doing so , organisations can act on the intelligence the process delivers to ensure better business outcomes . p
Jeff Keyes , VP of Product at Plutora
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