Outcome over Output : The 5th Agile Value?
While the Agile Manifesto defines four core values, it’s time we embrace a 5th Agile Value: Outcome over Output. Completing more tasks, story points, or deployments means little if they don’t drive meaningful impact.
?? Vanity Metrics That Mislead Agile Teams
? Velocity (Compared Across Teams) – Every team’s context is different. Chasing higher velocity often leads to inflated estimates rather than real progress.
? Number of Story Points Completed – More points ≠more value. Teams may unconsciously game the system with higher estimates.
? Sprint Burndown Charts – A "perfect" burndown doesn’t mean value was delivered. It may indicate rushed work or overcommitment.
? 100% Team Utilization – Keeping everyone busy isn’t the goal; delivering value is. High utilization often increases context switching, delays, and bottlenecks.
? Commitment vs. Completion Rate – A 100% completion rate might signal risk-averse planning rather than agility and adaptability.
? What Should Agile Teams Measure Instead?
?? Cycle Time & Lead Time – How quickly do we deliver valuable increments?
?? Customer Satisfaction & Business Outcomes – Are we solving real problems?
?? Escaped Defects & Technical Debt – Is our work sustainable and high-quality?
?? Team Health & Psychological Safety – Are we fostering a collaborative, motivated team?
?? Flow Efficiency – How much time is spent delivering value vs. waiting or reworking?
Shifting the Mindset: Outcome Over Output
Success in Agile isn’t about how much we deliver—it’s about how much impact we create. Let’s move beyond vanity metrics and focus on real, outcome-driven agility.
Project Manager Scrum Master @ Wipro Limited | Certified Scrum Product Owner
3 周Insightful !