How to Answer
Velocity is one of Agile’s most misunderstood and most powerful metrics. It’s not about speed. It’s about consistency, predictability, and smart planning.
Here’s a strong, clear answer that shows understanding of both the metric and its purpose:
What makes this a strong answer?
- 📊 Gives a precise definition of velocity
- 📈 Shows how it’s used for forecasting, not judgment
- 🔁 Highlights the importance of consistency over speed
Other key points you might include:
- 📌 Velocity = Total completed story points per sprint
- 🧠 It varies with team maturity and sprint scope
- 📅 Useful after at least 3 sprints for trend accuracy
Why this question matters
Agile isn’t about chaos, it’s about rhythm and iteration. Velocity helps teams predict how much they can deliver, and when.
This question tells recruiters if you:
- 🔍 Understand the purpose of velocity
- 🧠 Use it to improve planning and expectation-setting
- ⚖️ Know how to balance metrics with team health
Teams don’t succeed because they rush, they succeed because they’re predictable.
What the Recruiter Is Really Evaluating
This question evaluates your grasp of Agile planning, your mindset about metrics, and your ability to support a team, not pressure it.
| What They Ask | What They’re Evaluating |
|---|---|
| “How do you measure velocity in Agile?” | Your understanding of Agile metrics |
| “What’s a good velocity?” | Your realistic thinking and team empathy |
| “How do you improve it?” | Your coaching and process awareness |
They’re silently asking:
- 📏 Does this person understand Agile beyond terminology?
- 🧠 Can they use metrics to improve planning, not pressure teams?
- 📣 Will they promote healthy, data-informed collaboration?
Bottom line: Show that you use velocity as a compass and not a stopwatch. That’s what makes an Agile leader.