Beyond Productivity: A Framework for Measuring Human-AI Synergy in the Software Development Lifecycle - AI-Augmented Productivity Metrics Framework (AAPM)

Abstract

The rapid adoption of generative and agentic AI tools in the software delivery lifecycle has created significant pressure for organizations to measure and justify their investment. While anecdotal claims of 20–50% productivity gains are common [2], a clear, defensible framework for quantifying AI's impact remains elusive. This paper addresses that gap by proposing a practical, role-aware measurement framework designed to help technology leaders assess AI-driven efficiency. The framework moves beyond simple productivity metrics by acknowledging that efficiency is multidimensional, that outcomes must be properly attributed to either AI or human expertise, and that the quality of human inputor "experience glued into" AI outputsis a critical factor. Accordingly, the paper defines a rigorous approach for measuring key metrics across five dimensions of human contribution: domain understanding, technical skill, prompt engineering, retrieval, and review. It also confronts implementation challenges, such as establishing reliable baselines, normalizing for task complexity, capturing hidden costs, and preventing metric gaming. By rigorously measuring the symbiotic value of human-AI collaboration, this framework positions AI as a force multiplier for human expertise, enabling organizations to scale efficiency without compromising accountability