MATURITY, MODELS, AND GOALS - HOW TO BUILD A METRICS PLAN

Many software project managers want to implement a process or product improvement program for their software development or maintenance proj ect. To be effective, the improvement activities must be accompanied b y measurements to support them. Thus, managers must select metrics for a measurement plan that will start small and address key project need s. This article explains what a metrics plan is and describes an appro ach that combines a goal-question-metric analysis with process maturit y assessment and process modeling. This combination allows an organiza tion to tailor metrics collection and analysis to the needs and charac teristics of the project and organization that will use the metrics. T he goal-question-metric technique ensures that each measurement is use ful to someone in the organization. The process maturity framework is used to ensure that what needs to be measured is visible in the proces s, and the process model helps the project manager understand when and where metrics will be collected and how they will be used. In concert , these techniques enable the project manager to migrate from a small, initial set of key indicators to a larger, more comprehensive measure ment program. The article lists example goals, questions, and metrics that have been identified for a defense organization and a reuse proje ct manager, and describes how the techniques discussed have actually b een used on real metrics programs to tailor metrics plans to individua l project needs.