State of Agile series:
Benchmarks to
guide engineering excellence

The software delivery community has seen a surge in discussions about engineering metrics, particularly after the publication of influential works such as “Accelerate” and “Project to Product. The DORA metrics, Flow Framework, and SMART metrics have played important roles in continuous improvement initiatives. However, as advocates of engineering excellence, we recognize the need to broaden the conversation beyond these frameworks. While they are valuable, they can be limiting and may require a rigid approach for adoption, which can discourage engineers.

Our new benchmark report, the “State of Agile Series Benchmarks,” aims not to replace established metrics but to broaden the dialogue. This guide serves as the inaugural chapter in a series focusing on how metrics not only gauge performance but foster self-reflection—a crucial element for sustainable continuous improvement.

The report will delve into each benchmark, providing insights into their significance and practical applications. Our goal is not to offer silver bullets but to deepen our understanding of how metrics drive behaviors, leading to sustained high performance, improved morale, and, ultimately, more productive engineering environments.

This benchmark report does not aim to replace the DORA metrics or Flow Framework but to augment the conversation to include additional metrics that software delivery teams should consider to achieve the following outcomes:

1. Deliver more predictably to meet commitments
2. Work in more efficient ways to speed up delivery
3. Maintain quality
4. Ensure focus remains on the right priorities