V-GQM: A feed-back approach to validation of a GQM study

The Goal/Question/Metric paradigm is used for empirical studies on software projects. Support is given on how to define and execute a study. However t he support for running several subsequent studies is poor. V-GQM introduces a life-cycle perspective creating a process, spanning several GQM studies. After the GQM study has been completed an analysis step of the plan is ini tiated. The metrics are analysed to investigate if they comply with the pla n or has extended it, and also to investigate if the metrics collected answ er more questions than posed in the plan. The questions derived from metric s are then used to form the goal for the next GQM study, effectively introd ucing a feedback loop. By introducing the bottom-trp approach, a structured analysis of the GQM study is possible when constructing several consecutiv e GQM studies. A case study using V-GQM, is performed in an industrial sett ing.