Lead Time vs. Cycle Time

Track Performance of an Agile Team

Gökrem Tekir, PMP
Project Management Knowledge
2 min readApr 10, 2023

--

Lead Time on Agile Approach

Lead time in Agile approach is the duration between the initiation of a project and the delivery of the final product. In the Agile methodology, the focus is on delivering a high-quality product in the shortest possible time. Therefore, reducing the lead time is a crucial aspect of Agile development.

The lead time can vary depending on the complexity of the project, the size of the team, and the availability of resources. However, in general, Agile teams aim to deliver the product in small increments, with each increment adding value to the final product.

To reduce lead time, Agile teams follow several practices, including continuous integration and delivery, test-driven development, and frequent collaboration with stakeholders. These practices help identify and resolve issues early in the development process, ensuring that the final product meets the customer’s requirements.

In conclusion, lead time is a critical factor in Agile development, and Agile teams strive to reduce it by delivering the product in small increments, following best practices, and collaborating with stakeholders.

Cycle Time on Agile Approach

Cycle time in Agile approach is the duration between the start and completion of a single task or user story. It is the time taken to deliver value to the customer. Agile teams aim to reduce cycle time by breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces and delivering them incrementally. By doing so, they can identify and address issues early in the development process, ensuring that the final product meets the customer’s requirements.

--

--