What are some sane KPIs for a team of web application developers?












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I was tasked this week by executive management to come up with some annual KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for our development team by the end of the month. They also want individual developers to establish their own personal KPIs.



Do you have any suggestions for sound useful KPIs for a team of mostly Rails developers?



I'm thinking about things like the code quality metrics you see on Github repos. At the same time, I have some reservations.



Over the last year, in the absence of KPIs, our team has worked successfully to sharpen our development practices, accelerate the delivery and improve the quality of our applications, and build real esprit de corps. I worry that this is going to interfere with that and (to cite a new term I recently came across) run into Goodhart's Law.



In my preliminary research, I also came across this quotable line on the topic:




If there ever was a certain way of killing morale in a startup it was by introducing KPIs and calling them KPIs.




We are still a relatively small and young company with what we like to think of as a startup vibe.



I'm prepared to push back against the initiative. But I thought I should give the idea a fair hearing. Links, suggestions, arguments against the whole idea are welcome. Thanks!









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    I was tasked this week by executive management to come up with some annual KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for our development team by the end of the month. They also want individual developers to establish their own personal KPIs.



    Do you have any suggestions for sound useful KPIs for a team of mostly Rails developers?



    I'm thinking about things like the code quality metrics you see on Github repos. At the same time, I have some reservations.



    Over the last year, in the absence of KPIs, our team has worked successfully to sharpen our development practices, accelerate the delivery and improve the quality of our applications, and build real esprit de corps. I worry that this is going to interfere with that and (to cite a new term I recently came across) run into Goodhart's Law.



    In my preliminary research, I also came across this quotable line on the topic:




    If there ever was a certain way of killing morale in a startup it was by introducing KPIs and calling them KPIs.




    We are still a relatively small and young company with what we like to think of as a startup vibe.



    I'm prepared to push back against the initiative. But I thought I should give the idea a fair hearing. Links, suggestions, arguments against the whole idea are welcome. Thanks!









    share







    New contributor




    klenwell is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      I was tasked this week by executive management to come up with some annual KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for our development team by the end of the month. They also want individual developers to establish their own personal KPIs.



      Do you have any suggestions for sound useful KPIs for a team of mostly Rails developers?



      I'm thinking about things like the code quality metrics you see on Github repos. At the same time, I have some reservations.



      Over the last year, in the absence of KPIs, our team has worked successfully to sharpen our development practices, accelerate the delivery and improve the quality of our applications, and build real esprit de corps. I worry that this is going to interfere with that and (to cite a new term I recently came across) run into Goodhart's Law.



      In my preliminary research, I also came across this quotable line on the topic:




      If there ever was a certain way of killing morale in a startup it was by introducing KPIs and calling them KPIs.




      We are still a relatively small and young company with what we like to think of as a startup vibe.



      I'm prepared to push back against the initiative. But I thought I should give the idea a fair hearing. Links, suggestions, arguments against the whole idea are welcome. Thanks!









      share







      New contributor




      klenwell is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.












      I was tasked this week by executive management to come up with some annual KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for our development team by the end of the month. They also want individual developers to establish their own personal KPIs.



      Do you have any suggestions for sound useful KPIs for a team of mostly Rails developers?



      I'm thinking about things like the code quality metrics you see on Github repos. At the same time, I have some reservations.



      Over the last year, in the absence of KPIs, our team has worked successfully to sharpen our development practices, accelerate the delivery and improve the quality of our applications, and build real esprit de corps. I worry that this is going to interfere with that and (to cite a new term I recently came across) run into Goodhart's Law.



      In my preliminary research, I also came across this quotable line on the topic:




      If there ever was a certain way of killing morale in a startup it was by introducing KPIs and calling them KPIs.




      We are still a relatively small and young company with what we like to think of as a startup vibe.



      I'm prepared to push back against the initiative. But I thought I should give the idea a fair hearing. Links, suggestions, arguments against the whole idea are welcome. Thanks!







      management performance-reviews





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