Help organizations elevate the developer experience, thereby unlocking their latent potential and increase productivity tenfold
Our mission and vision
We believe in the immense potential that resides in each software developer and the incredible value that can be unlocked by tapping into this reservoir of talent. Currently, the software development industry is leaving a significant amount of untapped human potential on the table. As Deming rightfully stated, the 'greatest waste is failure to use the ability of people.' In an era where software is becoming integral to every aspect of our lives, such a waste of talent negatively affects us all.
Our mission is to help organizations elevate the developer experience, thereby unlocking their immense latent potential. In doing so, we envision a tenfold surge in productivity while ensuring cohesive teamwork, streamlined operations, and strategic alignment across leadership. Through these combined effects, we aspire to transform not just software development, but also the lives of those behind it.
We execute our mission by quantifying the knowledge gap a software developer must bridge to complete a task, utilizing the scientifically-grounded metric of metric - Knowledge Discovery Efficiency (KEDE). From this foundational metric, we derive insights into Collaboration, Cognitive Load, Happiness (Flow State), Productivity, and Rework (Information Loss Rate). Together, these insights provide a comprehensive view of a developer's experience and the overarching efficiency of the software development process.
The problem in software development analytics
But, where is the gap we are addressing?
Software development analytics is a rapidly growing field, with the power to change how software engineering processes are managed and executed. At the core of these analytics is that measurement framework: Flow Metrics.
Flow Metrics focus on quantifying tangible logistics such as Flow Velocity, Flow Time, Flow Efficiency, Flow Load, and Rework assessment, providing insights into the efficiency and productivity of the software development process as a manufacturing system.
However, there are inherent limitations. While Flow Metrics offer vital insights they don’t cover the intangible aspects of software development. Take, for instance, the developer experience at work. In today's software industry, companies invest heavily in nurturing developers' happiness. They believe that amenities like perks, playground rooms, free breakfast, and sports facilities, among others, would yield a return on investment in the form of improved productivity and retention. Such investments operate under the assumption that happy developers equate to productive developers.
Yet, using Flow Metrics alone, it's challenging to discern if developers, teams, and projects are truly operating at their peak. There's an inability to definitively ascertain whether developers enjoy their work, derive happiness from optimal work experiences, and ultimately realize their potential.
Furthermore, Flow Metrics often leave executive leaders struggling to connect the developer experience to the economic productivity of the business. Moreover, even the most accomplished managers often find it challenging to objectively validate their management practices for continued growth and success, given the lack of comprehensive data points.
Clearly, there's a pressing need for a more encompassing method of measurement – one that fuses the unique nature of software development with the human elements that significantly influence productivity.
Enter the world of Knowledge-Centric Metrics
In contrast, Knowledge-Centric Metrics shed light on the intangible facets. They address the knowledge gap that a software developer needs to bridge to successfully complete a task. Derived from the foundational Knowledge Discovery Efficiency (KEDE) metric, indicators such as Collaboration, Cognitive Load, Happiness (Flow State), Productivity(Value per Bit of information Discovered), and Rework (Information Loss Rate) present a multidimensional view of a developer's experience and the overall efficiency of the software development process.
While Flow Metrics provide an important perspective, KEDEHub specializes solely in Knowledge-Centric Metrics. Our focus is on capturing the intangible elements of the software development process, specifically the knowledge discovery aspects. We believe that when combined with Flow Metrics, our Knowledge-Centric Metrics provide a comprehensive, holistic view of the software development process, t hereby augmenting and enhancing the insights provided by Flow Metrics.
The beauty of this approach is that Knowledge-Centric and Flow Metrics don't collide; they complement each other. They each offer a unique standpoint, and together, they provide a fuller picture of the software development process. This is why we don't consider vendors of Flow Metrics tools as our competitors. We are all working towards the same goal: to improve the work experience and productivity of software developers. At KEDEHub, we're simply providing a different, yet equally valuable, perspective.
What we believe in
In the annals of medical history, physicians once relied on the mere touch of a patient's forehead to gauge the presence and severity of a fever. Fast forward to today, and thermometers provide an objective metric to understand the complexities of the human body.
In the realm of software development, assessing developer happiness and productivity seems to harken back to those rudimentary days. There's a prevailing sentiment that a manager's intuition, their metaphorical "touch", holds richer insights than any contemporary tool. At KEDEHub, we respectfully differ. We champion a future where software development doesn't rely solely on qualitative analyses or tangible outputs like functional software. Nor should its capability be measured merely by the effort poured into crafting such outputs.
Instead, we advocate for understanding software development in its truest form: the acquisition and application of knowledge. Our conviction rests on the scientifically-based metric, Knowledge Discovery Efficiency (KEDE). Through this lens, we endeavor to shift from perceptions and gut instincts to grounded, objective measurement.
At its core, management is about discerning and harnessing the latent potential within teams. A problem, in essence, is a divergence between where you are and where you wish to be. It's crucial to recognize that any hurdle in achieving a goal often lies in systemic issues, not individuals.
As managers and decision-makers, it's pivotal to adopt a holistic systems approach. Our foundational beliefs are:
- People inherently give their best.
- Challenges stem from systemic issues. If roles were reversed, the same challenges would persist.
- Every problem has an underlying cause. Through collaboration, understanding, and objective measurement, we can address them effectively.
Who we are
KEDEHub is led by Dimitar Bakardzhiev - a serial technology entrepreneur and an expert in managing successful and cost-effective complex software projects. With his blend of technical, managerial and operational expertise, he effectively combines the theory and practice of Agile and Kanban Method to deliver business results. He also published David Anderson's Kanban book as well as books by Goldratt and Deming in the Bulgarian language.