Choosing a developer productivity metrics platform

Engineering leaders face a common challenge: figuring out which developer productivity metrics to track and how to measure them effectively. A quick search for “developer productivity metrics” reveals an overwhelming number of tools and platforms, each claiming to improve team productivity and engineering efficiency. The wrong choice can lead to wasted resources, incomplete insights, and frustrated developers.

How leading companies measure software engineering productivity

The best organizations, including Google and LinkedIn, know that metrics from tools like GitHub or Jira only tell part of the story. To truly improve developer productivity, leaders use a combined approach: quantitative system data paired with qualitative developer experience surveys. This dual method provides a holistic view of bottlenecks, workflows, and culture—critical factors that shape software engineering productivity.

What to look for in a productivity metrics platform

This guide explains how to evaluate platforms based on your organization’s needs. It outlines the two main types of solutions:

• Quantitative-only platforms: focused on activity metrics like pull request cycle time or deployment frequency.
• Combined quantitative + qualitative platforms: which add survey insights to measure developer satisfaction, collaboration, and experience.

DX is the only solution that brings these data sources together, giving leaders a complete picture of developer productivity and helping them prioritize the most impactful productivity initiatives.

A playbook for successful evaluation

The Buyer’s Guide walks through every step of the evaluation process—from clarifying your measurement goals to mapping options and running a structured vendor comparison. With worksheets, checklists, and real-world lessons, it helps leaders avoid common pitfalls and select a platform that drives measurable improvements in team productivity and business outcomes.