Developer velocity measures the sustainable and consistent delivery of valuable code by a development team within a given timeframe, rather than simply focusing on speed or productivity. Higher velocity is not inherently indicative of better performance and should not be used as a performance metric; instead, it serves as a planning tool and should be expected to fluctuate. Common issues that can slow down velocity include technical debt, complex API integrations, and frequent context switching, which often lead teams to mistakenly add more processes or meetings in an attempt to address these challenges. The text emphasizes the importance of addressing systemic issues such as outdated documentation, deployment complexities, and knowledge silos rather than blaming developers for declining velocity. It suggests practical steps for improvement, including tracking meaningful metrics, allocating time for maintenance, and implementing sustainable practices, to enhance team productivity without resorting to ineffective solutions like additional meetings.