DX Core 4

Abi Noda's framework that layers DXI survey data and AI Measurement on top of DORA, while keeping CFR.

Oliver Wakefield-Smith

Founder, Digital Signet. Built siemcost / monitoringcost / itbudgetcalculator.

Updated 21 Jun 2026

Direct answer

DX Core 4 is a four-metric framework: Developer Experience Index (DXI, survey), Diff Throughput, Change Failure Rate, and Retention DX Core 42024. It is positioned as a layered evolution of DORA, not a replacement Pragmatic Engineer Core 42024. CFR is retained verbatim.

What Core 4 adds

The DXI survey covers ease-of-flow, frustrations, and capability ratings. Diff Throughput is a per-engineer productivity proxy (merged-PR count adjusted for size). Retention is a people-side outcome metric. The combination gives the executive view that DORA alone misses: how productive AND how happy AND how stable AND how sticky.

How CFR fits inside Core 4

Identical definition to DORA. The Core 4 contribution is putting CFR alongside a human outcome metric (Retention) so leadership cannot trade engineers off against system stability for long without seeing the people-side cost.

When Core 4 beats DORA-only

For executive reporting, 500+ engineer orgs, and orgs running AI-tooling pilots. For team-level tactical work, DORA alone is sufficient.