Why Scrum Teams Should Track Cycle Time (And How to Improve It)
In the fast-paced world of Agile development, teams often focus on velocity—how much work they complete in a sprint. But velocity alone doesn’t tell the whole story. What if work is getting stuck in progress? What if backlog items are taking too long to reach the finish line?
This is where cycle time comes in. Cycle time measures how long it takes for a backlog item to go from “To Do” to “Done”, giving teams valuable insights into efficiency, predictability, and delivery speed.
In this post, we’ll break down why cycle time is a powerful metric, how to improve it, and how to address common objections to tracking it.
What is Cycle Time?
Cycle time is the number of days it takes for a backlog item to move from the moment work starts (In Progress) to when it is completed (Done).
Unlike lead time, which measures the time from when an item is requested to when it is delivered, cycle time focuses solely on the execution phase.
Why Cycle Time Matters
Measuring cycle time provides teams with:
✅ Better predictability – Knowing how long work typically takes allows for more accurate forecasting.
✅ Bottleneck identification – High cycle times highlight inefficiencies and process slowdowns.
✅ Faster value delivery – Lower cycle times mean features and fixes reach users quicker.
✅ WIP management – Helps teams avoid working on too many items at once.
✅ Continuous improvement – Provides a baseline for assessing process changes.
How to Improve Cycle Time
If your cycle time is longer than expected, here are some actionable ways to improve it:
1. Limit Work in Progress (WIP)
Reduce the number of items being worked on simultaneously.
Encourage swarming—where multiple team members collaborate to complete high-priority tasks faster.
2. Refine Backlog Items
Break down large backlog items into smaller, manageable tasks.
Ensure each backlog item is well-defined before it enters the sprint.
3. Streamline Collaboration and Handoffs
Minimize dependencies that slow down progress.
Encourage cross-functional teamwork to reduce delays in code reviews, testing, and approvals.
4. Automate Testing and Reviews
Set time-boxes for code reviews to prevent long delays.
Automate repetitive testing tasks to reduce manual effort.
5. Remove Blockers Quickly
Track why work items get stuck and proactively remove bottlenecks.
Identify cross-team dependencies early and plan for them.
6. Make Cycle Time Visible
Display cycle time trends on a dashboard to raise awareness.
Discuss cycle time trends during retrospectives to identify improvement opportunities.
Common Objections to Measuring Cycle Time (And How to Address Them)
Here’s how to respond to common concerns about tracking cycle time:
| Objection | Response |
|---|---|
| "Cycle time isn’t relevant in Scrum, we measure velocity instead." | Cycle time complements velocity by providing insights into flow efficiency, not just output. |
| "We don’t have control over delays caused by external dependencies." | That’s exactly why tracking cycle time is useful—it highlights external blockers so they can be addressed proactively. |
| "Cycle time data will be used against us." | Emphasize that the goal is improvement, not punishment. It’s a tool for the team, not a micromanagement tactic. |
| "Scrum focuses on value, not speed." | Cycle time isn’t about rushing work; it’s about reducing delays so value reaches customers faster. |
| "We already have enough metrics to track." | Cycle time is lightweight and easy to measure, and it provides actionable insights to improve delivery. |
Final Thoughts
Measuring cycle time helps Agile teams deliver value faster, reduce inefficiencies, and improve predictability. When used correctly, it leads to better decision-making and smoother workflows.
If your team isn’t tracking cycle time yet, start by simply observing trends. Look for patterns, discuss them in retrospectives, and make small improvements over time.
What’s Next?
🚀 How does your team measure efficiency? Have you used cycle time to drive improvements? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
