How can you track progress and identify areas for improvement in lean software development?

1 Cycle time

Cycle time is the amount of time it takes to complete a unit of work, from the moment it is started until it is delivered to the customer. It is a measure of how fast and efficiently you can deliver value to your customers. Cycle time can be influenced by factors such as the size and complexity of the work, the skills and availability of the team, the quality and clarity of the requirements, and the feedback and testing processes. To track and improve cycle time, you can use tools such as kanban boards, cumulative flow diagrams, and control charts, which can help you visualize the flow of work, identify bottlenecks, and monitor variation.

2 Lead time

Lead time is the amount of time it takes to deliver a unit of work, from the moment it is requested by the customer until it is delivered to them. It is a measure of how responsive and reliable you are to your customers' needs. Lead time can be influenced by factors such as the demand and priority of the work, the capacity and coordination of the team, the alignment and communication with the customer, and the dependencies and risks involved. To track and improve lead time, you can use tools such as value stream maps, burn-up charts, and throughput charts, which can help you analyze the value stream, track the progress and scope, and measure the output and efficiency.

3 Value stream efficiency

Value stream efficiency is the ratio of value-added time to total lead time. It is a measure of how much waste you are eliminating from your development process. Value-added time is the time spent on activities that directly contribute to creating value for the customer, such as coding, testing, and deploying. Non-value-added time is the time spent on activities that do not directly create value for the customer, such as waiting, rework, handoffs, and approvals. To track and improve value stream efficiency, you can use tools such as value stream maps, waste audits, and root cause analysis, which can help you identify and eliminate sources of waste, such as defects, overproduction, inventory, motion, transportation, overprocessing, and waiting.

4 Customer satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is the degree to which your customers are happy with the quality and value of your products and services. It is a measure of how well you are meeting and exceeding your customers' expectations and needs. Customer satisfaction can be influenced by factors such as the functionality and usability of your products, the timeliness and accuracy of your deliveries, the feedback and support you provide, and the relationship and trust you build. To track and improve customer satisfaction, you can use tools such as surveys, interviews, reviews, ratings, and net promoter score, which can help you collect and analyze customer feedback, identify and address customer pain points, and improve customer loyalty and retention.

5 Team engagement

Team engagement is the degree to which your team members are committed, motivated, and empowered to perform their work. It is a measure of how well you are creating a culture of learning, collaboration, and innovation in your team. Team engagement can be influenced by factors such as the clarity and alignment of the team goals, the autonomy and accountability of the team members, the recognition and reward of the team achievements, and the opportunities and support for the team growth. To track and improve team engagement, you can use tools such as retrospectives, feedback sessions, engagement surveys, and happiness metrics, which can help you assess and improve the team performance, morale, and well-being.

6 Continuous improvement

Continuous improvement is the process of constantly seeking and implementing ways to improve your products, processes, and practices. It is a measure of how well you are applying the principles of lean software development, such as eliminating waste, optimizing value, delivering fast, building quality, learning rapidly, empowering teams, and embracing change. Continuous improvement can be influenced by factors such as the frequency and quality of the improvement cycles, the methods and tools used for improvement, the involvement and participation of the stakeholders, and the results and outcomes of the improvement actions. To track and improve continuous improvement, you can use tools such as plan-do-check-act cycles, kaizen events, improvement boards, and metrics dashboards, which can help you plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate your improvement initiatives.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?