A goal statement gives an API process improvement a measurable standard for success. After documenting current conditions, choose one or two performance metrics to improve and state the target for each. The goal belongs in the Goal Statement part of an A3; proposed solutions belong in Countermeasures. section 2.5
Set the goal before deciding whether an improvement worked:
- Record the current value of the metric and the target value. section 2.5
- Set a time frame of weeks, quarters, or planned sprints. If necessary, add it after developing countermeasures. section 2.5
- Revisit the values after the improvement effort and compare the result with the target. section 2.5
API design review lead time
If the review process currently takes 16 days, a 20% reduction sets a target of 12.8 days. Put those values in a simple improvement-target table, then specify when the reduction should be achieved. Do not fill the goal statement with proposed changes to the review process. section 2.5
