The Client
The essential intelligence partner transforming global travel
For nearly 100 years, OAG has combined unmatched data quality, quantity and access with breakthrough technology and deep industry expertise. Part of the Vitruvian Partners portfolio, OAG's engineering function is a direct commercial lever β the speed and quality of delivery is inseparable from its competitive position.
The strategic context
Predictability was the foundation. Speed is the objective.
OAG Engineering made a deliberate, sequenced strategic choice: build delivery discipline first, then use that foundation to accelerate. The two phases represent distinct and intentional business priorities β not a correction of course, but an evolution of ambition.
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Phase 1 β Completed
OAG invested in planning rigour across all four value streams: pre-booked maintenance capacity, story-point estimation, sprint buffers, and cross-team dependency management. The result was 82% delivery predictability β a level of consistency that enabled large-scope project delivery and the creation of a new data platform.
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Phase 2 β In Progress
With predictability established, OAG shifted its optimisation target to speed to market. Driven by AI capabilities, revenue growth ambitions, and a customer-centricity cultural shift, the engineering organisation is now focused on compressing cycle time, reducing PR bottlenecks, and measuring the delivery impact of AI adoption.
Phase 1 β What we built
The discipline that made speed possible
Predictability was never the end goal β it was the precondition. The operational rigour built across 2023β2024 gave OAG the stability to manage complex, cross-functional delivery and created the organisational confidence to then shift the performance dial toward pace.
Structured planning processes β Pre-booked maintenance capacity, story-point estimation, and sprint buffers gave teams consistent throughput and reduced unplanned disruption.
Cross-team dependency management β 82% delivery predictability enabled leadership to coordinate large-scope initiatives across teams without the friction of constant re-planning.
New data platform delivered β The planning discipline enabled a major strategic initiative β the creation of a new data platform β to be scoped, sequenced and delivered with confidence.
Shared delivery language β Plandek's four-pillar framework β Focus, Speed, Predictability and Quality β gave all teams, and later value streams, a consistent benchmark and common vocabulary.
Phase 2 β The approach
Coaching for speed, powered by data
Predictability was never the end goal β it was the precondition. The operational rigour built across 2023β2024 gave OAG the stability to manage complex, cross-functional delivery and created the organisational confidence to then shift the performance dial toward pace.
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DORA metrics as the speed baseline
OAG adopted Plandek's DORA metrics capability β deployment frequency, lead time for changes, change failure rate and time to restore β to establish a credible, industry-standard baseline for engineering speed across all four value streams.
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Customised time-to-market and PR bottleneck metrics
Generic metrics were supplemented with OAG-specific measures of time to market and pull request flow β identifying the exact points in the delivery pipeline where work was slowing, and giving teams actionable targets rather than lagging indicators.
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Quarterly coaching reviews
QBRs were restructured as coaching conversations: data-led sessions with each value stream to diagnose delivery bottlenecks, recognise improvement, and agree specific actions for the next quarter. Metrics moved from observation to accountability.
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Metrics embedded into planning and review ceremonies
Speed and flow metrics were integrated into planning and review ceremonies. Gradually teams are switching from Scrum to Kanban to have greater control on cycle and lead time metrics.
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AI Radar for adoption and impact tracking
As OAG accelerates adoption of GitHub Copilot and Claude Enterprise, Plandek's AI Radar dashboards provide visibility into how AI usage is translating into delivery speed β enabling OAG to track adoption rates, identify where AI is creating genuine throughput gains, and invest accordingly.
Results to date
Measurable gains β with further headroom ahead
Predictability was never the end goal β it was the precondition. The operational rigour built across 2023β2024 gave OAG the stability to manage complex, cross-functional delivery and created the organisational confidence to then shift the performance dial toward pace.
Predictability
Sustained delivery consistency across all four value streams
Cycle time
11.5 days to 6.2 days β top quartile benchmark
Lead time
Significant reduction as flow improvements took hold
Scope volatility
Sprint disruption reduced materially
Stories:Bugs ratio
Feature velocity doubled relative to defect work
Flow model evolution
Two value streams transitioned to continuous flow in Q1 2026
Business impact
Engineering performance that moves the commercial needle
Faster time to market β Reduced cycle and lead times mean product improvements reach customers sooner β a direct competitive advantage in a data-driven market.
Data-backed strategic decisions β Leadership has a consistent, real-time view of delivery performance across all value streams β enabling confident decisions on resourcing, process, and AI investment.
Measurable AI adoption impact β AI Radar gives OAG the visibility to prove β not assume β that GitHub Copilot and Claude Enterprise are improving delivery speed, not just activity levels.
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UK Office
Unit 313 The Print Rooms, 164-180
Union St, London SE1 0LH
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US Office
Floor 4, 1515 Mockingbird Ln,
Charlotte, NC 28209, USA