Metrics are meant to help.

But sometimes they just perform.

In this episode, we explore the difference between measurement that drives insight and measurement that becomes theatre. From counting test cases and commit history, to DORA metrics and Monte Carlo forecasting, we unpack how numbers can guide teams - or quietly distort behaviour .

We reflect on how metrics have evolved over the past 25 years, how Agile shifted the way we think about delivery and value, and why modern teams now have more data than ever but not always more clarity.

We also challenge a few uncomfortable truths:

When a metric becomes a target
When dashboards replace conversations
When velocity gets mistaken for predictability
When comparing teams causes more harm than insight
When “healthy culture” is reduced to a number

At its best, a metric is an invitation to a conversation.

At its worst, it is theatre.

What we cover

Early career metrics: counting test cases and “how many did you do?”
Commit counts, leaderboards and accidental gamification
From CD releases to cloud shipping and real time telemetry
DORA and the four key delivery metrics
SPACE Framework and measuring beyond output
Monte Carlo method vs story point velocity
Confidence levels and how to talk about uncertainty with stakeholders
Goodhart’s law and the danger of turning measures into targets
Pulse surveys, fatigue and the limits of yearly sentiment snapshots
The challenge: if you could only pick one metric, what would it be?

Useful links

Monte Carlo method https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Carlo_method https://medium.com/@benjihuser/an-introduction-and-step-by-step-guide-to-monte-carlo-simulations-4706f675a02f
Actionable Agile for Jira https://www.55degrees.se/products/actionableagileanalytics
DORA research https://dora.dev/research/
SPACE Framework https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2rbekHpG4Q
Goodhart’s law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodhart%27s_law
Moving beyond velocity https://docondev.com/escape-velocity
PETALS Measuring team health across Productivity, Enjoyment, Teamwork, Learning and Serenity https://petals.team https://app.petals.team

Chapter markers

00:00:07 - Intro and over engineering an EV charger box
00:02:16 - Why metrics matter and how they can mislead
00:03:27 - Counting test cases and early vanity metrics
00:05:45 - Commit counts and gamified leaderboards
00:09:57 - DORA metrics and delivery performance
00:13:07 - SPACE and measuring people, not just output
00:16:02 - Time to learn vs time to earn
00:20:03 - Monte Carlo forecasting vs velocity
00:24:35 - Pulse surveys, fatigue and psychological safety
00:30:03 - What averages hide
00:35:05 - Goodhart’s Law and when metrics go wrong
00:45:07 - If you could only choose one metric
00:50:56 - Wrap up and listener challenge

Hosts

Connect with us on LinkedIn…

Neil Younger - https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-younger/

Simon Jobling - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sijobling/

What do you measure?

What have you stopped measuring?

And what has backfired spectacularly?

Managing Engineers

Episodes 12

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