Average time to first comment

Measures the time it takes from when a pull request (PR) to when it receives its first comment.

How to Use It?

  • Enhance Review Promptness: Focus on minimizing the time it takes for Pull Requests to receive their first comments, ensuring that submissions are addressed quickly to maintain project momentum.

  • Improve Resource Allocation: Evaluate if the current review team is sufficiently staffed and consider adjusting resources to ensure timely feedback on Pull Requests. The Knowledge Sharing Index could be a great indicator for this.

  • Set Performance Benchmarks: Define and implement clear benchmarks for the time to first comment to monitor and enhance team responsiveness.

  • Identify Bottlenecks: Use this metric to detect bottlenecks in the review process, identifying specific times of day or phases in project development that typically experience delays.

  • Feedback Training: Conduct training sessions aimed at improving the speed and quality of initial feedback provided by reviewers, emphasizing the crucial role of prompt responses in accelerating the development cycle.


Strategic Implementation of Average Time to First Comment

  • Promptness Initiatives: Introduce initiatives that incentivize quick first responses to Pull Requests, such as gamification or recognition programs, to encourage active participation from reviewers.

  • Resource Optimization: Adjust staffing levels or reviewer assignments based on analysis of current response times and workload distributions to optimize review efficiency.

  • Process Optimization: Refine review processes to eliminate unnecessary delays, ensuring a streamlined approach that facilitates quicker initial feedback.

  • Training and Development: Provide continuous training and development opportunities focused on enhancing the effectiveness of communication within the review process.


Considerations for Implementation

  • Balanced Approach to Reviews: While striving for quicker first comments, ensure that the quality of reviews is not compromised, maintaining a balance between speed and thorough feedback.

  • Cultural Fit: Foster a culture that values responsiveness and effective communication, integrating these values into daily practices and team expectations.

  • Feedback and Adaptation: Regularly collect feedback from both submitters and reviewers regarding the first comment process to continually refine and adapt strategies based on actual needs and challenges.