Easy Calculating Lead and Cycle Time

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There is no need to say much about what lead and cycle time are. These are well-known concepts. Many people use these metrics in their processes. I want to discuss how lead and cycle time can be used in Software Development and Project Management, how these values can be calculated in Jira Cloud and Jira Data Center, and what insights we can get. Let's go!

Lead and Cycle Time - Software Development

Lead Time.

Feature development. The lead time in software development includes the entire process, from the concept of a feature or project to its deployment. It covers the time required for planning, design, development, testing, and deployment.

Release planning. Lead time helps plan software releases by considering the time required for all activities, including feature development, testing, and quality assurance.

Cycle Time.

User story. In agile methodologies, cycle time can be applied to user stories. It measures the time it takes from when a user story enters the development backlog to when it is marked as "done" or completed in a sprint.

Build and deployment. Cycle time can also measure the time it takes to build, test, and deploy a software component or feature. 

In general, lead&cycle time is also indispensable in cases:

1. Identifying bottlenecks. Analyzing cycle time and lead time helps to identify bottlenecks in the development process. For example, if the duration of the testing cycle is significantly longer than other stages, it signals a potential bottleneck that needs attention.
2. Continuous improvement. Monitoring cycle time and lead time allows development teams to implement continuous improvement practices. By analyzing these metrics, teams can identify areas for optimization, streamline processes, and increase overall efficiency.

Lead and Cycle Time - Project Management

Lead Time.

Project planning. Lead time in project management covers the period from the initial idea or concept to completion. This helps to set realistic timelines and expectations for the project.

Project implementation. The lead time gives a general idea of the time required to complete the project, including the planning, execution, and closure phases.

Cycle Time.

Task completion. Project managers can use cycle time to measure the time it takes to complete individual tasks or work packages within a project. This helps manage dependencies and allocate resources efficiently.

Iterations. In iterative project management approaches, cycle time is used to measure the duration of each iteration or sprint.

Lead & cycle time analytics are also needed in processes:

1. Resource allocation. Analyzing cycle time and lead time helps project managers allocate resources more efficiently by understanding how long it takes for different project activities.
2. Risk management. By understanding lead times, project managers can better anticipate and manage project risks. Longer lead times can indicate increased exposure to external risks, prompting proactive risk management strategies.

Calculations and Analysis Lead and Cycle Time in Jira

The Time Between Statuses app (Cloud, Data Center) facilitates the efficient calculation of Cycle and Lead times. 

Let's look at how to use this app to calculate the above metrics and explore how you can analyze the metrics and generate reports. 

1. First, you need to set up work calendars. Each company has a different working schedule. All of this must be entered into the app so that the calculation of lead & cycle time, time to response, time to resolution, time to market, or other metrics can be more accurate.
2. Next, in the same Configuration manager, configure the Statuses group. Set start/stop and pause statuses for calculation. For example, for Cycle Time, you must choose In progress status for the start and To Review as stop status for calculation. For Lead Time: To Do - for Start and Done - for Stop. Optionally, statuses like Hold or Pending can be selected as pause triggers for the timer.
3. Select the first/last transition to/from status for more detailed time data. 
4. Optionally, you can set up Warning and Critical limits for Cycle and Lead time. If too much time is spent on a specific issue, the system will send an email notification to the specified admin.

After the necessary setting, you can view Cycle and Lead time on the time between statuses report. 

Improve your workflow with Time Between Statuses, Cycle, and Lead Time calculations!

Get your free trial for:

• Time Between Statuses - Jira Data Center

• Time Between Statuses - Jira Cloud

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