Throughput is the number of items passing through a process.
It measures how many work items—such as tasks, user stories, or deliverables—are completed in a given period of time, providing insight into team productivity, workflow efficiency, and delivery pace.
Key Characteristics
- Volume-Based Metric – Focuses on quantity of output, not effort or duration
- Time-Boxed – Typically measured per sprint, week, or month
- Used in Flow-Based Systems – Core metric in Kanban and other continuous delivery models
- Supports Forecasting – Helps predict future delivery based on historical flow
Example Scenarios
- Completing 12 user stories during a two-week sprint
- Processing 30 help desk tickets in a week
- Delivering 100 features during a program increment
Role in Agile and Lean Delivery
- Measures Delivery Rate – Quantifies how much value is delivered over time
- Enables Predictability – Provides a foundation for flow-based planning and forecasting
- Highlights Bottlenecks – Low throughput may indicate process inefficiencies
- Supports Continuous Improvement – Informs adjustments to team workflows and capacity
See also: Cycle Time, Velocity, Work in Progress (WIP), Lead Time, Cumulative Flow Diagram.