In Agile methodologies, a quantifiable metric exists that measures the relationship between the amount of work a team forecasts completing within a sprint or iteration and the actual amount of work ultimately delivered. This calculation, often expressed as a percentage, offers insights into a team’s ability to accurately estimate and execute tasks within defined timeframes. For instance, if a team commits to delivering 10 story points in a sprint but only completes 8, the resulting calculation would indicate an 80% performance.
This metric offers several advantages. It provides data for continuous improvement, allowing teams to identify factors influencing their estimations, such as unforeseen dependencies, overly optimistic assessments, or scope creep. Analyzing trends in this area facilitates more realistic planning and resource allocation in subsequent iterations. Historically, the concept arose from the need for greater predictability and accountability within software development projects, shifting away from less structured approaches towards more empirical and data-driven decision-making.
