Every company wants its programmers to be efficient and productive. To measure their developers' productivity, they decide on a few criteria, create dashboards, and rely on the reports.
One such common metric is counting the lines of codes.
But what if measuring productivity by lines of code actually leads to messier, harder-to-maintain software?
In fact, focusing solely on quantity could weaken the software over time.
Here’s why measuring developer productivity in terms of lines of code (LOC) may be problematic and how we can improve this approach.
1. The Core Problem — Misleading Metrics and Their Consequences
Imagine a company where productivity is measured by the number of lines of code written daily. This approach is like rewarding students for the number of pages they write in an exam, regardless of what is on those pages.
When developers are encouraged to write as many lines as possible, they are more likely to add code that complicates the program, leading to code that is difficult to read, hard to debug, and challenging to maintain.
In fact, according to software research, up to 80% of costs in a software project go toward maintaining the code rather than writing it initially. If developers focus on adding lines to the codebase, these maintenance costs increase significantly.
Adding more code also opens up the avenues for errors. According to Steve McConnell, for every 1000 lines of delivered code, there can be about 15–50 errors.
Hence, promoting LOC as a metric doesn’t just bulk up code; it increases the likelihood of introducing bugs that require time and effort to fix.
2. Why “Less Is More” in Modern Development
According to Coralogix, below is what most developers do 75% of the time and their related costs.
1. On average, a developer creates 70 bugs per 1000 lines of code (!) 2. 15 bugs per 1,000 lines of code find their way to the customers 3. Fixing a bug takes 30 times longer than writing a line of code 4. 75% of a developer’s time is spent on debugging (1500 hours a year!) 5. In the US alone, $113B is spent annually on identifying & fixing product defects
In today’s software world, many programming languages are designed to make code compact, readable, and maintainable. These languages include tools and features that reduce boilerplate code and streamline tasks, making code easier to follow and manage over time.
With such advancement, encouraging developers to write more code contradicts the principle of simplicity that modern programming is moving toward.
3. Rethinking Developer Productivity
If counting lines of code doesn’t reflect a developer’s value, then what does?
Here are a few alternative ways to measure productivity that focus on quality and collaboration.
Code Quality: Instead of measuring the amount of code, leaders can measure the quality of pull requests (code that developers submit for review). Focusing on fewer errors, fewer revisions, and clearer code demonstrates productivity in a more meaningful way.
Collaboration and Teamwork: Great software doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Developers who contribute ideas, help colleagues, and participate in discussions provide immense value. Focusing on how to build a team that works together well can yield higher-quality products.
Solving Problems: A productive developer isn’t just adding features but also fixing bugs and solving problems quickly and effectively. Prioritizing how well they address issues can be a much better measure than simply counting lines of code.
By emphasizing these metrics, organizations can encourage developers to focus on sustainable productivity and overall quality.
4. Going Beyond Measurement
A common mistake in managing developer productivity is focusing too much on measurement and not enough on improvement.
According to the 2024 jRebel Java Developer Productivity Survey, 85% of developers feel that high-quality tools and training make them more productive.
Here are a few actions leaders can focus on that go beyond measurement and actively support developers.
Provide Better Tools: Tools for coding, testing, debugging, and automation make a big difference. The right tools help developers work faster, reduce repetitive tasks, and improve code quality.
Encourage Skill Growth: Training helps developers learn best practices and new skills, boosting both productivity and quality. When developers feel supported in learning, they are more motivated and likely to produce better-quality products.
Create a Supportive Environment: Developers who work in a positive environment can ask questions, get help, and avoid errors. Happy teams often produce better work with fewer issues.
5. The Right Perspective for Long-Term Productivity Gains
It’s essential to think long-term about developer productivity. Quick-fix metrics like lines of code may offer immediate numbers, but they rarely improve the actual quality of software or lead to better team culture. When companies focus on measuring and boosting quality, teamwork, and innovation, they are building a foundation for future success.
By creating a culture that rewards clear, effective, and maintainable code rather than sheer output, leaders can ensure that teams work better, developers are more satisfied, and the software improves in quality over time.
Final Thoughts
Writing fewer lines of code isn’t just about aesthetics or brevity; it’s a strategic decision that can lead to more maintainable, bug-free, and cost-effective software. — adbeat.com
In a world where complexity in technology is rising, simplicity in code becomes a critical asset. The lines-of-code metric belongs to an era when software quality wasn’t the complex, interconnected concept it is today.
Today’s leaders should focus on what makes developers truly productive, i.e., quality, efficiency, and support.
By taking a more thoughtful approach to productivity, leaders can help their developers do meaningful work that delivers lasting value. Rather than measuring productivity by lines of code, let’s start focusing on building environments where developers can thrive, creating code that is clear, valuable, and built to last.
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