The Stack Overflow Podcast
Moving beyond velocity: Measuring real business impact
May 8, 2025
Dan Lines, Cofounder and COO of LinearB, and Ben Matthews, Senior Director of Engineering at Stack Overflow, delve into redefining engineering success. They argue that velocity should be a diagnostic tool rather than the end goal. Discover the necessity of aligning engineering with business outcomes and the role of AI in freeing engineers from repetitive tasks. They also discuss the integration of non-technical staff in tech processes and the significance of centralized teams in boosting productivity as organizations scale.
30:32
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Quick takeaways
- Engineering leaders should prioritize measuring business impact over velocity, as it better aligns teams with meaningful outcomes and objectives.
- Integrating AI can significantly enhance engineering productivity by automating repetitive tasks, allowing developers to focus on complex and innovative work.
Deep dives
Shifting Focus from Velocity to Business Impact
Engineering leaders should move beyond measuring productivity solely through velocity metrics to emphasize real business impact. This shift is crucial as velocity often reflects symptom-driven thinking rather than actual outcomes. Business impact can manifest in various ways, such as reducing cycle times, enhancing product quality, or lowering operational costs. By clearly defining what constitutes meaningful business impact, leaders can align their teams on the right priorities and avoid the pitfalls of relying on outdated performance metrics.
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