Hey everyone, let’s talk about a silent killer of momentum: how we measure our engineering teams.
For years, product managers have relied on velocity, story points, and tickets closed to forecast roadmaps and signal progress. But let’s be honest, this is a trap. When we obsess over output, we incentivize shipping more, not shipping better. This leads to tech debt, burnout, and a culture where engineers feel like ticket-takers rather than product builders.
The real measure of a high-performing team isn’t how fast they’re running, but whether they’re running in the right direction, sustainably. This means shifting our focus from output to outcomes and developer experience (DevEx). Are our engineers set up for success? Can they ship high-quality work without unnecessary friction? Do they understand the ‘why’ behind their work?
This is where PMs can lead the change. By championing better cross-functional collaboration, we build a shared sense of purpose. At Leera.io, we focus on tools that create this shared context, linking engineering efforts directly to user feedback and company goals. When engineers see the impact they’re making, the conversation shifts from “how many story points?” to “how much customer value?”
This shift builds healthier, more innovative, and ultimately faster teams in the long run.
How has your organization tried to move beyond velocity as a primary success metric? What worked and what didn’t?