> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.swarmia.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.swarmia.com/features/metrics/pull-request-cycle-time/whats-the-difference-between-change-lead-time-and-pull-request-cycle-time-metrics-in-swarmia.md).

# What's the difference between "Change lead time" and "Pull request cycle time" metrics in Swarmia?

Change lead time includes the full lifecycle of the pull request from the first commit to deployment. Pull request cycle time includes only the time from the first commit to pull request merge, but excludes the last part of the lifecycle, time to deploy.

<figure><img src="/files/36lH3viZC2qOCvyOyTGL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Despite being related, it makes the most sense to look at pull request cycle time and deployment metrics like change lead time separately. Slow time to deploy might mask the improvements you're making in the rest of your development process.

Using two separate metrics also ensures that missing lifecycle data does not skew the metrics. Pull request cycle time can be calculated for all pull requests, whereas change lead time is only calculated for pull requests that belong to applications that have [deployments configured](https://help.swarmia.com/configuring-deployments).


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.swarmia.com/features/metrics/pull-request-cycle-time/whats-the-difference-between-change-lead-time-and-pull-request-cycle-time-metrics-in-swarmia.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.