SPACE is a multidimensional software engineering productivity measurement framework covering five dimensions that are meant to reflect developer productivity more comprehensively and objectively than traditional quantitive-only output-based measurements. SPACE aims to create better measures to understand engineering productivity for tech teams and organisations, in addition to traditional system-based KPIs mainly designed for managers.
The five dimensions are:
- Satisfaction and well-being
- Performance
- Activity
- Communication and Collaboration
- Efficiency and flow
Metrics in each category alone often do not accurately reveal the full picture of engineering productivity. For example, activity metrics could indicate that engineers are working longer hours to hit deadlines or frantically fixing countless bugs. Or they could mean that the team is collaborating more and the system is conducive to more frequent code changes, reviews, and releases. When paired with metrics from other dimensions, the ambiguity can be eradicated more easily.