From adoption to impact: Putting the DORA AI Capabilities Model to work

The 2025 State of AI-assisted Software Development report revealed a critical truth: AI is an amplifier. It magnifies the strengths of high-performing organizations and the dysfunctions of struggling ones.

While AI adoption is now near-universal, with 90% of developers using it in their daily workflows, success is not guaranteed. Our cluster analysis of nearly 5,000 technology professionals reveals significant variation in team performance: Not everyone experiences the same outcomes from adopting AI. 

From this disparity, we can conclude that how they are using AI is a critical factor. We wanted to understand the particular capabilities and conditions that enable teams to achieve positive outcomes, leading us to develop the DORA AI Capabilities Model report. 

This companion guide to the 2025 DORA Report is designed to help you navigate our new reality. It provides actionable strategies, implementation tactics, and measurement frameworks to help technology leaders build an environment where AI ...