The average Scrum team delivered a 35% improvement in velocity at Yahoo [1] where teams properly coached delivered 300-400% improvements. The best Scrum Master at MySpace peaked at 267% of initial velocity after 12 weeks and averaged 168% increase in velocity over 12 Sprints. Most teams were less successful.
Scrum teams use lightweight metrics like story points, the burndown chart and team velocity. Recent work with hyperproductive teams shows that they have two engines that produce velocity: alignment of the team and team spirit. Hyper-Productivity is defined with a 400% higher velocity than average waterfall team velocity with correspondingly higher quality.
A hyperproductive team uses careful measurement of aspects of performance and prioritization to make slight adjustments in flight. Just as modern jet fighters are inherently unstable without computers to fine tune flight parameters, hyperproductive teams require daily adjustment based on key metrics. Careful attention to the metrics described – velocity, work capacity, focus factor, percentage of found work, percentage of adopted work, original commitment, final commitment, commitment accuracy, estimate accuracy, and target value contribution increase – can develop and sustain hyperproductive teams.