Newsletter
Don’t measure AI Code Percentage on its own
What AI code percentage can help explain, and why it makes a poor optimization target.
MeasurementAI & agents
Research, writing & conversations
Collected work
A collection of ideas, evidence, and conversations about how developers work—and how to make that work better.
Podcast
How Meta reduced diff authoring time by 40%
Brian interviews Meta researcher Moritz Beller about diff authoring time, experiments, AI, and software testing.
AI & agentsMeasurementSoftware quality
Newsletter
Do you really need another framework?
Where CAFE(S) fits alongside established approaches to engineering measurement and AI evaluation.
MeasurementAI & agents
Newsletter
Introducing CAFE(S): A framework for defining AI context quality
A practical introduction to evaluating the information we give AI agents.
AI & agents
Webinar
The CAFE(S) framework: Improving AI agent effectiveness through better context (EMEA/US)
Brian joins Max Kanat-Alexander, Eirini Kalliamvakou, and Margaret-Anne Storey to introduce a framework for evaluating agent context.
AI & agents
Newsletter
Your agent doesn't have a model problem
What happens when agents inherit the context problems that people have been compensating for.
AI & agentsSoftware quality
Podcast
How Okta sets guardrails and context for AI agents
Brian interviews Robert Lucero about agent identities, permissions, AI readiness, and the engineering practices that support safe autonomy.
AI & agentsSoftware quality
Press coverage
Meta tried to shrink engineering teams around AI
Quoted on the difference between producing more code and achieving better engineering outcomes.
AI & agentsMeasurement
Newsletter
The quality paradox of AI-generated code
Using the TRUCE framework to ask what changes when AI writes more of our code.
Software qualityAI & agents
Podcast
Code Quality & AI Readiness at Capital One
Brian interviews Max Kanat-Alexander about engineering fundamentals, code review, and preparation for more capable AI workflows.
AI & agentsSoftware quality
Newsletter
Can “Predictable Delivery” be measured?
Statistical ways to understand how confidently teams can forecast delivery.
Measurement
Newsletter
Is there a relationship between cycle time and PR throughput?
Examining how the relationship between cycle time and throughput varies across organizations.
Measurement
Newsletter
“Your benchmarks don't apply to us”
Why industry trends can help interpret improvement even when organizations are different.
Measurement
Webinar
AI in engineering: Q2 2026 benchmarks & research readout
Brian and Justin Reock discuss AI adoption, engineering throughput, code quality, and the gap between faster work and better outcomes.
AI & agentsMeasurementSoftware quality
Podcast
How Microsoft sees engineering bottlenecks changing with AI
Brian interviews Tim Bozarth about EngThrive, shifting bottlenecks, and measuring engineering through outcomes.
AI & agentsMeasurement
Newsletter
What are code reviews even for?
The knowledge, confidence, and shared ownership we risk losing when we rethink code review.
Software qualityDeveloper experience
Newsletter
The unexpected things developer metrics can measure
How developer metrics can reveal the effects of changes far beyond our tools.
MeasurementWork & wellbeing
Podcast
How AI Broke Developer Productivity Measurement with Brian Houck (DX)
A conversation with Ankit Jain on meaningful AI measurement, engineering outcomes, and the emerging field of agent experience.
AI & agentsMeasurement
Newsletter
Measuring the impact of AI coding tools: Capacity, not horsepower
A case for evaluating AI through the organization’s ability to deliver valuable work.
MeasurementAI & agents
Webinar
Research briefing with Brian Houck: Measuring AI agents and revisiting the Core 4
Justin Reock and Brian discuss agent experience, engineering measurement, context, and the human costs of AI-assisted work.
AI & agentsMeasurement
Newsletter
Five studies changing how I think about AI in software engineering
A research roundup on how faster code generation changes the rest of the delivery process.
AI & agentsSoftware quality
Newsletter
From dashboards to decisions
Three examples of measurement guiding meaningful changes to engineering work.
MeasurementDeveloper experience
Panel
AI and engineering productivity: Debating the headlines
A panel with leaders from Etsy, Twilio, GitHub, Google, and Microsoft on AI, technical debt, engineering roles, and adoption.
AI & agentsDeveloper experience
Newsletter
Revisiting the DX Core 4 in the Age of AI
How to interpret established engineering outcomes as AI changes the work underneath them.
MeasurementAI & agents
Framework article
EngThrive: Make It Fast and Easy to Do Great Work
How Microsoft combines outcome measures and diagnostics to improve engineering speed, ease, quality, and wellbeing.
MeasurementDeveloper experienceWork & wellbeing
Newsletter
Five years later: Reflecting on SPACE with the people who built it
Reflections from the SPACE authors on how the framework has held up in practice.
MeasurementDeveloper experience
Fireside chat
The current impact of AI on engineering velocity
Brian hosts Abi Noda for a fireside discussion of DX research on AI adoption, throughput, and shifting development bottlenecks.
AI & agentsMeasurement
Newsletter
8 myths on software engineering and AI
An accessible introduction to research challenging familiar assumptions about AI and developers.
AI & agents
Newsletter
The AI efficiency plateau
Looking at how developers’ reported time savings change as AI use matures.
MeasurementAI & agents
Press coverage
Is Microsoft’s EngThrive framework immune to Goodhart’s Law?
An interview about EngThrive, gaming alignment, and using metrics to improve the engineering environment.
MeasurementDeveloper experience
Newsletter
The AI-native developer
How growing AI fluency changes developers’ responsibilities and professional identity.
AI & agentsDeveloper experience
Research paper
AI Where It Matters: Where, Why, and How Developers Want AI Support in Daily Work
Maps developers’ demand for AI support across daily tasks, including the work they want to delegate and the boundaries they want to preserve.
AI & agentsDeveloper experience
Research article
The SPACE of AI
Uses the SPACE framework to examine where AI changes developers’ work and how team culture shapes those benefits.
AI & agentsMeasurementDeveloper experience
Framework article
CAFE(S): Your Agent Is Only As Good As Its Context
A framework for evaluating the clarity, actionability, fidelity, efficiency, and security of context given to AI agents.
AI & agentsSoftware quality
Research article
The AI-Native Developer
How increasing AI fluency changes the work developers do and how they understand their craft.
AI & agentsDeveloper experience
Research article
Eight Myths on Software Engineering and GenAI
Examines recurring assumptions about generative AI through evidence from software engineering research.
AI & agentsMeasurement
Webinar
The CAFE(S) framework: Improving AI agent effectiveness through better context (APAC)
An APAC session with Justin Reock and Eirini Kalliamvakou about context quality and effective AI agents.
AI & agents
Panel
Verification, Cost, and Speed: What's Next for AI Coding at Scale
A panel with engineering leaders from Uber, SAP, Morgan Stanley, Thoughtworks, and Moderne on verification, cost, and scaling AI development.
AI & agentsSoftware qualityDeveloper experience
Panel
AI and productivity: A year-in-review with Microsoft, Google, and GitHub researchers
A research roundtable with Laura Tacho, Ciera Jaspan, Collin Green, and Eirini Kalliamvakou on AI adoption and engineering outcomes.
AI & agentsMeasurementDeveloper experience
Research paper
From User Surveys to Telemetry-Driven AI Agents: Exploring the Potential of Personalized Productivity Solutions
Explores how personalized AI agents can turn workplace telemetry into practical productivity support while respecting users’ preferences and privacy.
AI & agentsMeasurement
Podcast
The AI adoption playbook: Lessons from Microsoft's internal strategy
A conversation with Abi Noda about leadership advocacy, local champions, and practical ways to help developers adopt AI.
AI & agentsDeveloper experience
Research paper
Time Warp: The Gap Between Developers’ Ideal vs Actual Workweeks in an AI-Driven Era
Studies how gaps between developers’ ideal and actual workweeks relate to satisfaction and productivity, and where AI assistance could help.
Distinguished Paper Award
AI & agentsMeasurementWork & wellbeing
Fireside chat
Beyond the Commit: A Fireside Chat on AI and Developer Productivity
A fireside conversation with Nachiappan Nagappan about engineering metrics, developer toil, and AI across the development lifecycle.
AI & agentsMeasurementDeveloper experience
Podcast
SPACE framework, PRs per engineer, AI research
A discussion with Abi Noda about using SPACE and interpreting PR throughput as part of engineering measurement.
Measurement
Research paper
Triple Peak Day: Work Rhythms of Software Developers in Hybrid Work
Examines daily work rhythms and how evening activity relates to developers’ perceived productivity and stress across work settings.
Work & wellbeing
Interview
SPACE and developer productivity at DPE Summit 2024
An on-site conversation with Baruch Sadogursky about SPACE and developer productivity engineering.
Measurement
Research article
Towards Effective AI Support for Developers: A Survey of Desires and Concerns
Surveys developers about the AI assistance they want and the reliability and workflow concerns that limit adoption.
AI & agentsDeveloper experience
Research paper
Burnout in Cybersecurity Incident Responders: Exploring the Factors that Light the Fire
Combines digital activity and self-reports to investigate burnout among cybersecurity incident responders and opportunities for organizational support.
Work & wellbeing
Research article
DevEx in Action: A Study of Its Tangible Impacts
Investigates links between developer experience and outcomes for individual developers, teams, and organizations.
Developer experienceMeasurement
Talk
Launching DevEx into SPACE! Helping Engineers Thrive in the Age of AI
How human factors, focused work, and multidimensional measurement shape engineering productivity as AI changes developer workflows.
MeasurementAI & agentsDeveloper experience
Talk
SPACE in the Age of AI
Applying SPACE to developer experience, collaboration, and wellbeing as teams introduce AI tools.
MeasurementAI & agentsDeveloper experience
Report
The Best of Both Worlds: Unlocking the Potential of Hybrid Work for Software Engineers
Explores the benefits and tensions of hybrid engineering work through a survey spanning 28 companies and seven countries.
Work & wellbeingDeveloper experience
Webinar
How Microsoft Keep Engineers Happy and Productive in the Age of Hybrid Work
A discussion of wellbeing, focus time, collaboration, and how Microsoft approached productivity during remote and hybrid work.
Work & wellbeingMeasurement
Research paper
Focused Time Saves Nine: Evaluating Computer-Assisted Protected Time for Hybrid Information Work
Evaluates whether automatically protecting calendar time can improve workers’ focus, perceived performance, and experience of work.
Work & wellbeing
Press coverage
Want the most productive developers money can buy? Microsoft’s got the answer
Coverage of research and observations on developer productivity at Microsoft.
Developer experienceWork & wellbeing
Research briefing
Microsoft New Future of Work Report 2022: Hybrid workspaces
A short research briefing on how workspace design can support collaboration and individual work.
Work & wellbeingDeveloper experience
Research briefing
Microsoft New Future of Work Report 2022: Individual productivity and well-being
A short research briefing on differences in remote-work experiences and what they mean for wellbeing and productivity.
Work & wellbeingMeasurement
Report
Microsoft New Future of Work Report 2022
Synthesizes research on hybrid work across individuals, teams, organizations, and society.
Work & wellbeing
Research paper
A Tale of Two Cities: Software Developers Working from Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Shows how the same conditions of pandemic remote work could help some developers while creating significant challenges for others.
Work & wellbeingDeveloper experience
Research paper
How Developers and Managers Define and Trade Productivity for Quality
Compares developers’ and managers’ views of productivity and quality and introduces the TRUCE framework for software quality.
MeasurementSoftware quality
Interview
How Microsoft does Developer Productivity Engineering with Brian Houck
An interview about the engineering systems and productivity work supporting Microsoft developers.
MeasurementDeveloper experience
Talk
Happy and productive hybrid developers: How to have it all!
Brian presents Happy and productive hybrid developers: How to have it all! within a research session on remote and hybrid work.
Work & wellbeingDeveloper experience
Podcast
New Future of Work: How developer collaboration and productivity are changing in a hybrid work model
A conversation with Jaime Teevan about remote work, social connection, onboarding, and measuring developer productivity holistically.
Work & wellbeingDeveloper experience
Research paper
Please Turn Your Cameras On: Remote Onboarding of Software Developers during a Pandemic
Studies the challenges of remote onboarding and the importance of helping new developers build social connections with their teams.
Developer experienceWork & wellbeing
Research article
The SPACE of Developer Productivity: There’s More to It Than You Think
Introduces a multidimensional framework for understanding developer productivity and choosing measures that reflect how engineering work happens.
MeasurementDeveloper experience
Report
The New Future of Work: Research from Microsoft into the Pandemic’s Impact on Work Practices
Brings together Microsoft research on the rapid shift to remote work and its implications for future work practices.
Work & wellbeing
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