Throughput: Measuring Flow to Optimise Team Performance

Throughput is a key observability metric used to quantify the amount of work a system completes over a specific time period. It reflects the flow of value and helps teams inspect how effectively their system delivers completed work items. Unlike productivity measures, throughput captures system performance as a whole, not individual contribution.

By tracking throughput, teams can detect trends, identify constraints, and assess whether workflow changes result in meaningful improvements. Tools like cumulative flow diagrams and flow analytics help visualise throughput data in real time. In Agile and Lean contexts, throughput is often used with lead time and cycle time to inspect flow health and predict delivery.

Throughput enables empirical inspection. It provides feedback that informs decision-making and guides adjustments in work-in-progress limits, team composition, and planning cadence. Observing throughput over time supports transparency and continuous improvement, without relying on subjective performance assessments.