What mistakes are you making with Agile Metrics?

1 Mistake 1: Focusing on vanity metrics

Vanity metrics are those that look good on paper, but don't really tell you anything meaningful about your agile project. For example, counting the number of features delivered, the number of story points completed, or the velocity of your team might seem impressive, but they don't reflect the value, quality, or impact of your work. Instead of focusing on vanity metrics, you should use value metrics that align with your project goals, customer needs, and business outcomes. For example, you could measure the customer satisfaction, retention, revenue, or feedback of your features.

2 Mistake 2: Using too many metrics

Another common mistake is to use too many metrics, or to measure everything that you can. This can lead to information overload, confusion, and loss of focus. Instead of using too many metrics, you should use only a few key metrics that are relevant, actionable, and consistent. You should also review your metrics regularly and eliminate those that are no longer useful, or that contradict each other. For example, you could use a balanced scorecard approach, where you select one metric for each of the four perspectives: customer, financial, internal, and learning.

3 Mistake 3: Comparing metrics across teams

A third common mistake is to compare metrics across different teams, or to use them as a basis for ranking, rewarding, or punishing teams. This can create unhealthy competition, resentment, and gaming of the system. For example, if you compare the velocity of two teams, you might overlook the fact that they have different definitions of done, different levels of complexity, and different contexts. Instead of comparing metrics across teams, you should use them as a tool for self-improvement, collaboration, and learning. You should also encourage teams to set their own goals, define their own metrics, and share their insights and challenges with each other.

4 Mistake 4: Ignoring qualitative metrics

A fourth common mistake is to ignore qualitative metrics, or to rely only on quantitative metrics. Quantitative metrics are those that can be measured numerically, such as time, cost, or defects. Qualitative metrics are those that can be measured subjectively, such as satisfaction, motivation, or innovation. While quantitative metrics are important, they don't capture the whole picture of your agile project. They can also be misleading, inaccurate, or manipulated. Instead of ignoring qualitative metrics, you should use them to complement your quantitative metrics, and to gain a deeper understanding of your agile project. For example, you could use surveys, interviews, or observations to collect qualitative data.

5 Mistake 5: Not using metrics for learning

A fifth common mistake is to not use metrics for learning, or to use them only for reporting, monitoring, or controlling. This can lead to a lack of feedback, adaptation, and improvement. It can also create a culture of fear, blame, or complacency. Instead of not using metrics for learning, you should use them as a source of feedback, experimentation, and improvement. You should also use them to celebrate your successes, identify your challenges, and generate new ideas. For example, you could use retrospectives, reviews, or demos to discuss your metrics and learn from them.

Agile metrics are powerful tools that can help you deliver value, quality, and impact with your agile projects. However, they can also be misused, abused, or misunderstood. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can use agile metrics effectively, efficiently, and ethically.

6 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?