Phase 3: Optimize

Improve flow by reducing batch size, limiting work in progress, and using metrics to drive improvement.

less than a minute

Key question: “Can we deliver small changes quickly?”

With a working pipeline in place, this phase focuses on optimizing the flow of changes through it. Smaller batches, feature flags, and WIP limits reduce risk and increase delivery frequency.

What You’ll Do

Reduce batch size - Deliver smaller, more frequent changes
Use feature flags - Decouple deployment from release
Limit work in progress - Focus on finishing over starting
Drive improvement with metrics - Use DORA metrics and improvement kata
Run effective retrospectives - Continuously improve the delivery process
Decouple architecture - Enable independent deployment of components

Why This Phase Matters

Having a pipeline isn’t enough - you need to optimize the flow through it. Teams that deploy weekly with a CD pipeline are missing most of the benefits. Small batches reduce risk, feature flags enable testing in production, and metrics-driven improvement creates a virtuous cycle of getting better at getting better.

When You’re Ready to Move On

You’re ready for Phase 4: Deliver on Demand when:

Most changes are small enough to deploy independently
Feature flags let you deploy incomplete features safely
Your WIP limits keep work flowing without bottlenecks
You’re measuring and improving your DORA metrics regularly

Phase 3: Optimize

What You’ll Do

Why This Phase Matters

When You’re Ready to Move On

Small Batches

Feature Flags

Limiting Work in Progress

Metrics-Driven Improvement

Retrospectives

Architecture Decoupling