Understanding developer well-being: measuring mental health and productivity in software teams

Abstract The productivity of software developers is influenced by various factors encompassing technical, organizational, and individual aspects. Among these factors, mental health has emerged as a critical element for sustaining performance and well-being in this context. This work primary focus lies in understanding developers’ perceptions and acceptance of metrics related to mental health and productivity. Firstly, a mapping study was conducted to map the existing knowledge in this area. A total of 178 papers were retrieved using a predefined search string. After applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, five secondary studies were selected and 99 factors influencing productivity and/or mental health in the workplace were identified. Secondly, a metrics catalog was developed based on these influencing factors, combining established indicators from literature with new metrics designed to monitor developers’ mental health and productivity. The catalog includes 12 metrics along with their respective measurement formulas. Thirdly, an assessment of this catalog was performed through a survey and structured interviews with industry professionals, gathering insights on the applicability and relevance of the proposed metrics. The survey was completed by 47 software developers, 22 of whom also participated in the interviews. Our results reveal that while developers largely recognized the value of the catalog, resistance emerged when these metrics were positioned as evaluative mechanisms in the workplace.