About Us

Welcome to AgileBenchmark

We are passionate about empowering organizations to excel in (agile) software development. AgileBenchmark brings over 25 years of unparalleled expertise in IT optimization and agile transformation. Our goal is to enable businesses with data-driven solutions that enhance performance, reduce costs, and maximize value delivery.

Our Story

The story of AgileBenchmark is one of specialized expertise meeting a clear market need in the evolving world of agile software delivery.

AgileBenchmark is a relatively new specialized consultancy founded by Drs. Harold van Heeringen, a recognized expert with more than 25 years of deep experience in IT metrics, application development & maintenance measurement, cost estimation, output-based contracting (notably aligned with the Dutch NPR 5333 standard), and software benchmarking.

After decades of working in the field — including senior roles where he developed and applied fact-based measurement approaches in large-scale IT environments — Harold identified a persistent gap: many medium-to-large organizations adopting or scaling agile were still struggling with true transparency, objective performance insights, and data-driven decision making around cost, speed, quality, productivity, and value delivery regarding their software development function.

Subjective opinions, vendor promises, and traditional metrics often fell short in complex, multi-team, multi-supplier agile settings.

This realization led to the creation of AgileBenchmark as an independent consultancy firm dedicated to bridging that gap. The company combines Harold's long-standing knowledge of parametric models, industry benchmarks, and agile-specific measurement techniques into a focused, client-centric service offering.

What we do

We help organisations decide on software investments with facts instead of opinions, through three services: the Software Investment Reality Check (an independent estimate before you commit the budget), Output-based Contracting (moving agile suppliers from paying for hours to paying for delivered functionality, per NPR 5333), and Value for Money (showing the value delivered per €1,000 of budget).

Why Choose AgileBenchmark?

We stand out by combining technical precision with a client-first mindset. Whether you’re optimizing agile teams, assessing contract value, or improving process maturity, Harold’s personalized consultancy advice drives results. Our track record speaks for itself, with clients experiencing enhanced transparency, efficiency, cost savings, and ROI.

Get in Touch

Want to discuss a project, a vendor quote or a contract? Book a free 30-minute call with Harold.

Our Founder: Harold van Heeringen

With more than 25 years in the field, Harold is a recognized expert in many services in the application domain. He is President of Nesma, a not-for-profit organization governing one of the standards for functional size measurement and a knowledge platform for software cost estimation, and he is a Board member of the International Software Benchmarking Standards Group (ISBSG). He has worked for over 10 years as the lead of the metrics desk of Sogeti, an international IT services provider, part of Capgemini, after which he became Senior Consultant and, from 2020 onwards, Principal Consultant at Metri, an IT management advisory.

In his career, Harold has built up extensive experience in (not limited):

• Agile Team Benchmarking

• Software Cost Estimation (ICEAA Software Cost Estimation Certified)

• Contracting Support (NPR5333 compliant)

• IT Contract Benchmarking

• Process Maturity Assessment

• Requirements Quality Analysis

• Value Delivery Assessments

• Functional Size Measurement (Nesma and COSMIC certified expert)

• Other IT Consultancy

His hands-on approach, knowledge, expertise, and deep industry knowledge ensure clients receive practical, impactful solutions.