Software development is a field that has to encompass a myriad of variables to ensure that the product operates at a high level. In every stage of development, there will be a key look at KPIs according to Inoxoft. This actually begs the question: “What is KPI in software development and how does it fit into the whole process?”. If you have asked that question, this is the right place to find the answer.
As you read on, you will find out more than just how to define what a KPI is. You will look at how to apply it, what metrics it is used on and its benefits, just to name a few. If you are an aspiring software engineer, you may want to stick around.
What is KPI?
Before getting into the specifics of KPI (which stands for Key Performance Indicator) in software development, we have to look at it under a microscope. Also known as key performance indicators, KPIs are particular metrics that are used to determine a company’s functionality. In other words, anything that can be used to gauge how a company is doing falls under this term. Some of the things that need improvement include:
- Efficiency
- Quality of product
- Customer experience
- Employee experience
These indicators or actions have to be monitored constantly because of their state as either a strength or a fault. If they are the former, they can be kept consistent and if they are the latter, they can be improved upon. In short, they are the best way of keeping your company streamlined and moving forward.
KPIs in software
We now know what KPIs are and now we can begin seeing how they apply to software development. Without any delay they include:
Metrics of finance
These metrics have everything to do with the monetary side of things. These include things such as:
- cost of development
- general expenditure
- yearly revenue
From this, a developer has an idea of how finances are being handled. Developers can also make comparisons between their finances and those of their rivals to achieve the same thing.
Metrics of customer interaction
As far as customer interaction is concerned, a way to measure their satisfaction and spending habits will allow a company to make plans for the future. Once taken down, it is possible to measure how long a customer will use their products.
They can also be used to evaluate the cost of acquiring new customers. From this, they find the best way to get new customers and keep them.
Metrics of performance
These metrics cover the overall functionality of the entire process. This is primarily done by looking at how many successes there are in comparison to failures. From the data that is brought out from the calculations, you can tell which activities and products are a hit and which ones need more work.
Main KPIs software developers should measure
The following are the main indicators that determine the future of a project. Without further hesitation, let’s get into them.
Velocity of sprint
This is data that shows the exact amount of work a group can cover in a given period or sprint. This can also apply to multiple sprints.
It is determined by figuring out how large the job is as well as the time it takes to complete it. The purpose of this is to see if the goals set are realistic.
Burndown of sprint
This is the same as velocity, but only for a single sprint. The purpose of this metric differs as well as it shows if the job is being done as expected. Any delay is what is thought of as burnout.
Release burndown
By using essentially the same method of data gathering as the previous metric, this one is much more expansive. It covers multiple facets such as the project’s progress concerning the schedule.
Time spent
This is self-explanatory as it looks at how long a specific task takes to complete. With the schedule information collected from complete measurements, you can determine how to save time.
Cumulative flow
This is a color-coded table with multiple colors that show the level of job completion. Each colored band is a job and its thickness shows the level of consistency
Efficiency of flow
This metric is used to show how much time is spent working as opposed to typical work hours. By using a ratio between the two times, you can find ways to keep work efficient.
Coverage of code
This metric is used to gauge how much quality code a group can create during initial testing. If these pieces of code have issues, then they should be addressed as a whole.
Stability of code
This metric is basically as the name states. However, it is difficult to measure as it often boils down to a product being in use already, after which the stability can be reported or tracked.
Simplicity of code
This is the complete opposite of stability and is easy to keep track of. All you need to keep in mind is that simple code is easy to fix and complex versions aren’t.
Code churn
This facilitates the monitoring of changing code over a duration of time as well as how often it occurred. The purpose of this is to figure out if and where software requires new features. The outcome of this will always be risky maintenance.
Final thoughts
Anyone looking to develop their software and commercialize it should always use KPIs as a guideline. This is because the cost of paying attention to them pales in comparison to those faces if the process is disorganized. If anything, they are a necessity and help with making sure that projects are kept clean.
Using indicators has several benefits that you can’t miss out on. From the fact that they make keeping track of company progress easier to the encouragement of problem-solving and pattern analysis, it’s clear that it’s a no-brainer. With a system that follows KPIs in place, the quality of your product will only increase because it’s a form of trial and error. So, if you aren’t already using KPIs in your software development, now’s the time to change.
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