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Quickstart metrics guide: Cycle Time

In software engineering, time is your enemy. Long Cycle Times lead to higher rework rates, more context switching, and slower delivery. This guide will show you why Cycle Time matters, how to measure it, and how to reduce it with the right practices and automations.

Quickstart metrics guide: Cycle Time

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Cover graphic for Cycle Time Quickstart guide.

Why Cycle Time matters

Cycle Time measures how long it takes code to move from the first commit to production deployment. A long Cycle Time signals friction and is likely to cause:
Higher risk of code rework
More context switching and cognitive load
Delays that compound across sprints
Cycle Time: 85 Hours

How to run the experiment yourself

Cycle Time includes four key phases:
  • Coding Time – From first commit until PR creation
  • Pickup Time – From PR creation until the first review starts
  • Review Time – From review start to PR merge
  • Deployment Time – From merge to production release
This guide includes industry benchmarks based on 6.1M+ PRs from 3,000 teams across 32 countries.
2025 Cycle Time Benchmarks

Practices for improving Cycle Time

Most Cycle Time delays happen in the PR lifecycle—especially during pickup and review.  LinearB helps engineering leaders streamline these steps and accelerate delivery with a mix of best practices and automation. By combining process discipline with automation, your team can reduce Cycle Time without sacrificing quality.
qmg cycle time 3
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Cover of Cycle Time Quickstart metrics guide.

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