Developer productivity with Dr. Nicole Forsgren (creator of DORA, co-creator of SPACE)

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Feb 19, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Nicole Forsgren, a leading expert in developer productivity and co-creator of the DORA and SPACE frameworks, dives into the complexities of measuring productivity in software development. She explores the importance of holistic metrics that prioritize developer well-being and communication. Nicole shares insightful strategies for improving team dynamics, the impact of AI tools on workflows, and the value of investment in platform teams to boost productivity. It's a treasure trove of knowledge for tech leaders and engineers alike!

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INSIGHT

PRs and Diffs as Productivity Signals

PRs and diffs are good and bad signals for developer productivity.
They offer insight into work and system processes, but don't reflect senior engineers' contributions.

ADVICE

Avoid Solo Metrics

Avoid using PRs/diffs as a solo metric.
Instead, consider a range of metrics for a holistic view of developer context.

INSIGHT

The Desire for Simple Metrics

Non-technical managers desire simple developer productivity metrics.
They hope to assess performance without understanding context.

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