Business Alignment
How to Prove Engineering ROI to Non-Technical Stakeholders
Proving the return on investment (ROI) of engineering efforts is a critical yet ongoing challenge for leaders in software development. Engineering teams are often seen as cost centers due to their significant expenses, from salaries to infrastructure. However, the true business value created by these teams is often misunderstood or overlooked by non-technical stakeholders including executives, board members, finance leaders, and product owners.
Demonstrating engineering ROI is essential for securing continued investment, aligning business and technical goals, and showcasing the impact of the engineering team’s work. This guide explores how to make engineering value visible—and persuasive—for decision makers outside of R&D, using key developer productivity metrics, modern git analytics, and actionable communication tactics.