In this episode, Brian Houck, Applied Scientist, Developer Productivity at Microsoft, covers SPACE, DORA, and some specific metrics the developer productivity research team is finding useful. The conversation starts by comparing DORA and SPACE. Brian explains why activity metrics were included in the SPACE framework, then dives into one metric in particular: pull request throughput. Brian also describes another metric Microsoft is finding useful, and gives a preview into where his research is heading.

Mentions and links

Connect with Brian on LinkedIn
The SPACE of Developer Productivity: There's More to It Than You Think
Measuring developer productivity with the DX Core 4
DevEx in action
DORA, SPACE, and DevEx: Which framework should you use?

Discussion points

(0:48) SPACE framework's growth and adoption
(3:47) Comparing DORA and SPACE
(6:30) SPACE misconceptions and common implementation challenges
(9:34) Whether PR throughput is useful
(15:13) Real-world example of using PR throughput
(21:33) Talking about metrics like PR throughput internally
(24:39) Where Brian’s research is heading

SPACE framework, PRs per engineer, AI research | Brian Houck (Microsoft)