Scrum Metrics

Scrum Metrics provide empirical data to help teams measure their performance, identify improvements, and make informed decisions. These metrics support transparency and inspection within the Scrum framework. Sprint Burndown Charts track remaining work throughout a Sprint, helping teams visualize progress toward the Sprint Goal. A healthy burndown shows steady completion of work. Velocity measures how much Product Backlog value a team delivers each Sprint, typically calculated as the sum of Product Backlog Items completed. Teams use velocity for forecasting and capacity planning. Release Burnup Charts show progress toward a release goal by displaying completed work over time, helping stakeholders understand when features might be delivered. Cumulative Flow Diagrams visualize workflow states, revealing bottlenecks and helping teams optimize their process. Cycle Time measures how long work takes from start to completion, while Lead Time tracks the interval between request and delivery. Code Quality Metrics like test coverage, defect rates, and technical debt indicators help teams monitor product health. Team Morale/Happiness metrics capture team satisfaction and engagement, often through simple surveys during retrospectives. Value-based Metrics focus on business outcomes rather than output, measuring actual customer value delivered. Importantly, Scrum doesn't prescribe specific metrics—teams should select those that provide meaningful insights for their context. Metrics should drive positive behaviors and support continuous improvement. Metrics misuse can be dangerous. When used to compare teams or evaluate individual performance, they create dysfunctional behaviors and gaming. Effective metrics focus on team improvement rather than external judgment. The Scrum Master's role includes helping teams establish meaningful metrics that enhance transparency and support empirical process control.

Scrum Metrics provide empirical data to help teams measure their performance, identify improvements, and make informed decisions. These metrics support transparency and inspection within the Scrum fr…

Concepts covered: Lead Time, Sprint Burn-down Chart, Release Burn-up Chart, Sprint Goal Success, Team Velocity, Throughput, Velocity, Work In Progress (WIP), Cycle Time, Cumulative Flow Diagram, Escaped Defects