Software Metrics, Measurement & Analytical Methods
 

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Papers & Presentations - Metrics, Measurement & Analytical Methods:

12 Steps to Useful Software Metrics: This paper introduces the reader to a practical process for establishing and tailoring a software metrics program that focuses on goals and information needs. The process provides a practical, systematic, start-to-finish method of selecting, designing and implementing software metrics. It outlines a cookbook method that the reader can use to simplify the journey from software metrics in concept to delivered information.

Author: Linda Westfall        Date Original Version Posted: January 3, 2002

Updated Version Posted: April 25, 2005

Metrics Report Definition Template: Utilize this template to document the design of your software metrics reports.  This template can help you implement the 12 Steps to Useful Software Metrics. 

Author: Linda Westfall        Date originally Posted: Sept 11, 2002

Updated Version Posted: July 8, 2004

Example - Metrics Report Definition: Example of a completed Metrics Report Definition document. 

Author: Linda Westfall        Date Posted: July 8, 2004

 

Using a Measurement Framework to Rapidly Achieve Measurable Results: This paper describes a Process Measurement FrameworkSM that rapidly achieves measurable results. The Process Measurement FrameworkSM is based upon the popular Goal/Question/Metric (G/Q/M) paradigm, the Juran Quality Trilogy, and the initial core measures recommended by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). The G/Q/M Paradigm is applied to the goals of planning, control, and improvement and based on powerful metrics that have a proven track record. In order to illustrate the power of the Process Measurement FrameworkSM, real examples from industry are used. The Process Measurement FrameworkSM helps to ensure that all metrics are collected on a form, in a document, or in a database.

This paper won the best paper award at the 13th International Conference on Software Quality, October 2003.

Author: Tim Olson               Date Posted: Dec 1, 2003         Website:  www.qic-inc.com     Phone:  760-804-1405

 

Are We Doing Well or Are We Doing Poorly?: Software metrics don't solve problems people solve problems.  What software metrics can do is provide information so you can make informed decisions and better choices.  According to the new ISO/IEC 15939 Software Engineering -- Software Measurement Process standard, decision criteria are the “thresholds, targets, or patterns used to determine the need for action or further investigation, or to describe the level of confidence in a given result”.  In other words, you need decision criteria to obtain guidance that will help you interpret the measurement results.  This paper shows you how to establish useful decision criteria for different types of metrics.

This paper won the Best Paper award at the 2003 Applications in Software Measurement (ASM) Conference.  

Author: Linda Westfall        Date Updates Posted: Dec 11, 2003

Paper                                 

Presentation Slides

 

Software Customer Satisfaction: Satisfying our customers is an essential element to staying in business in this modern world of global competition.  We must satisfy and even delight our customers with the value of our software products and services to gain their loyalty and repeat business.  Customer satisfaction is therefore a primary goal of process improvement programs.

So how satisfied are our customers?  One of the best ways to find out is to ask them using Customer Satisfaction Surveys.  These surveys can provide management with the information they need to determine their customer's level of satisfaction with their software products and with the services associated with those products.  Software engineers and other members of the technical staff can use the survey information to identify opportunities for ongoing process improvements and to monitor the impact of those improvements. 

This paper includes details on designing your own software customer satisfaction questionnaire, tracking survey results and example reports that turn survey data into useful information.  This paper won the Best Paper award at the 2002 Applications in Software Measurement (ASM) Conference.

Author: Linda Westfall        Date Posted: Dec 30, 2002


Papers & Presentations - Metric Definitions:

Defect Removal Effectiveness: This brief article by Linda Westfall defines the metric of Defect Removal Effectiveness and gives examples of how to calculate it.

Author: Linda Westfall          Date Posted: Jan 3, 2002

 

Defect Density: This brief article by Linda Westfall defines the metric of Defect Density and gives two examples of how it could be reported and utilized.

Author: Linda Westfall        Date Posted: Jan 3, 2002


Papers & Presentations - Analytical Methods:

Cause & Effect Diagrams: This brief article by Linda Westfall discusses the purpose of Cause & Effect Diagrams and gives two examples of how this quality tool can be utilized.

Author: Linda Westfall        Date Posted: Feb 26, 2002


Recommended References 

Measuring Customer Satisfaction: Survey Design, Use, and Statistical Analysis Methods, 2nd Edition; Bob E. Hayes; ASQ Quality Press, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 1998.

Measuring the Software Process, Statistical Process Control for Software Process Improvement; William Florac & Anita Carleton; Addison-Weslet, Reading, MA; 1999.

Metrics & Models in Software Quality Engineering; Stephen Kan; Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA; 1995.

Practical Implementation of Software Metrics; Paul Goodman; McGraw Hill, London; 1993: ISBN 0-07-707665-6.

Practical Software Metrics for Project Management and Process Improvement; Robert Grady; PTR Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey; 1992.  


Recommended Links

Data and Analysis Center for Software (DACS) and the Defense Software Collaborators (DSC) - www.thedacs.com

International Function Point User’s Group (IFPUG) - www.ifpug.org   

Practical Software and System Measurement (PSM) - www.psmsc.com 


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