This blog post examines the pitfalls of using velocity as a performance metric for software engineers. Originally a team-level metric, its misuse can encourage prioritizing quantity over quality, create misaligned incentives across teams, ignore critical contextual factors, and foster unhealthy competition among engineers. A holistic approach is advocated for better outcomes.
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The blog critiques the use of Utilization Rate as a productivity metric in software engineering, arguing it encourages busyness over value creation, stifles creativity, and causes burnout. It advocates for focusing on results, maintaining flexibility, prioritizing quality, promoting work-life balance, and aligning tasks with long-term goals to enhance engineer performance and team effectiveness.
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The blog post critiques the reliance on metrics like code commits and reviews to evaluate software engineers. These metrics often promote quantity over quality, overlook essential skills and contexts, encourage unhealthy competition, and neglect user impact. A holistic approach, incorporating qualitative feedback and outcome measurements, is recommended for better evaluation.
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Lines of Code (LOC) is a commonly used, yet misleading metric for evaluating software engineer productivity. It often promotes quantity over quality, ignoring the complexity and value of work done. Instead, organizations should adopt value-based metrics that consider completed features, defect density, and customer satisfaction to recognize meaningful contributions effectively.
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This blog series addresses the misuse of common software engineering metrics that can lead to misleading conclusions and counterproductive behaviors. It highlights how these metrics, like Lines of Code and Velocity, may obscure true performance. The series aims to inspire a shift toward more meaningful evaluations that focus on value, innovation, and team success.
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I’m excited to introduce Leadership Loop, a platform where I share insights and lessons from my 25 years in the tech industry. After an incredible and transformative journey at Amazon, where I grew as a leader and collaborator, I felt compelled to create a space to share actionable advice and experiences.
Through this blog, I…
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