Velocity40

Framework for predictable and efficient planning

Introduction

Velocity40 is here for you. It helps you plan work so you're not overloaded, deliver predictably, and feel that your work makes sense.

And when you manage it, your team benefits. Because the shared experience of one person multiplies.

Three Estimation Levels

The Velocity40 framework works on three levels. From strategy to your daily tasks.

At each level, the ratio of two dimensions is calculated:

  • FL3 - strategic ratio EXI/EVI
  • FL2 - coordination ratio BVI/EFI
  • FL1 - operational estimates in time units

FL3 - Strategic Level

Method: Execution Index (EXI) + Evolution Index (EVI)

Your goal: Understand how large and complex a task is (EXI) and what benefit it has for the product (EVI).

How you proceed:

  • In Planning Poker, you rate each initiative by EXI (complexity, risk) and EVI (benefit, opportunity).
  • The EXI and EVI values are averaged within the team.
  • You calculate the EXI/EVI ratio, which shows whether the benefit is worth the effort.

What you and the team get: A shared understanding of which initiatives are worth prioritizing because they have the best benefit-to-complexity ratio.

FL2 - Coordination Level

Method: Effort Index (EFI) + Business Value Index (BVI)

Your goal: Break down large initiatives into smaller parts and determine what has the greatest value for the given effort.

How you proceed:

  • You divide a large task into smaller units.
  • You assign a Business Value Index (BVI) to each unit.
  • You rate the segments using the Effort Index (EFI) – how much work they require.
  • You calculate the BVI/EFI ratio, which shows where the greatest return on effort is.

What you and the team get: A clear priority order based on balancing benefit and effort.

FL1 - Operational Level

Method: Estimation in time units (hours)

Your goal: Convert segments from FL2 into concrete tasks.

How you proceed:

  • Each task has an owner.
  • You estimate time in hours (max. 8 h per task).
  • You respect a fixed capacity of 40 hours per week.

What you and the team get: You know what you need to do today. The team has a realistic plan without overload.

The Secret of Velocity40

⏳ You can't be faster than time.

If you want to deliver projects in real time, you must be able to estimate the final delivery level in time units.

Otherwise, you'll get tangled up in unrealistic plans, overload, and chaos.

Only when you recognize your own performance in time does your performance become predictable.

And when everyone's performance is predictable, the entire team's performance becomes predictable too.

Practical Example

Imagine you have four system changes to implement with your team:

  • Performance optimization
  • User interface adjustment
  • Security enhancement
  • Integration of a new service provider

At FL3: each change receives an EXI and EVI rating → you calculate the EXI/EVI ratio.

At FL2: you break down the changes into smaller parts with value (BVI) and effort (EFI) → you calculate the BVI/EFI ratio.

At FL1: you convert the individual parts into tasks in time units and distribute them among people.

Thanks to this, you and your team know:

  • what has the highest value,
  • how complex it will be,
  • who works on what,
  • and when it can realistically be delivered.

Benefits of Velocity40

Planning without overload

When you plan realistically, you don't let yourself get overloaded.

The team then functions in balance.

Transparency and predictability

When you know what's ahead of you, the team can rely on your progress.

Meaningful prioritization

When you can assess what has the greatest value, the whole team does the right things.

Flexibility and adaptability

When you can respond to changes, the team adapts without chaos.

Satisfaction and better results

When you have a balance between work and rest, the team follows you and together you achieve better results.

Glossary of Terms

  • FL (Flight Level) - estimation and planning level (FL3 strategic, FL2 coordination, FL1 operational)
  • EXI (Execution Index) - complexity, risk, and uncertainty of implementation
  • EVI (Evolution Index) - benefit for further development and future opportunities
  • EFI (Effort Index) - work effort estimate at the coordination level
  • BVI (Business Value Index) - benefit for business, value for the customer

Conclusion

Velocity40 gives you a clear structure:

  • FL3 - you understand where you stand and what has the greatest benefit (EXI/EVI ratio).
  • FL2 - you know what has the greatest return on effort (BVI/EFI ratio).
  • FL1 - you manage to fulfill a realistic plan day by day (time units).

And its secret is simple: You can't be faster than time.

But when you recognize your own performance in time, your performance becomes predictable.

When every team member's performance is predictable, the entire team's performance becomes predictable too.