1. Metrics Organizational Guidelines [1]
[1] Robert Grady, Practical Software Metrics for Project Management and Process Improvement, Prentice-Hall, 1992
©USC-CSSE

2. Goal-Question-Metric Paradigm
GQM is a framework for developing a metrics program [1]
Steps:
Generate a set of organizational goals
What do you want to improve?
Derive a set of questions relating to the goals
Answers provide visibility into meeting the goals
Develop a set of metrics needed to answer the questions
[1] Victor Basili, Software Modeling and Measurement: The Goal/Question/Metric Paradigm, CS-TR-2956, University of Maryland, 1992
©USC-CSSE

3. GQM Goal Definition Template
Purpose: To (characterize, evaluate, predict, motivate, etc.) the (process, product, model, metric, etc.) in order to (understand, assess, manage, engineer, learn, improve, etc.) it.
Perspective: Examine the (cost, effectiveness, correctness, defects, changes, product metrics, reliability, etc.) from the point of view of the (developer, manager, customer, corporate perspective, etc.)
Environment: The environment consists of the following: process factors, people factors, problem factors, methods, tools, constraints, etc.
©USC-CSSE

4. Sample Goal Trees (1/2) Improve software process predictability
Project planning goal area: Predict the process in order to manage it
Improve software process predictability
Project tracking goal area: Evaluate the project in order to manage it
Execute successful project
Improve effort predictability
Improve defect predictability
Achieve business value
Improve schedule predictability
Deliver a quality product within cost and schedule constraints
©USC-CSSE

5. Sample Goal Trees (2/2) Improve the software process Improve quality
Process change management goal area: Evaluate the process in order to improve it
Improve the software process
Improve quality
Minimize schedule
Improve productivity
Maximize reuse
Defect prevention goal area: Characterize defects in order to prevent them
Characterize the process to understand it
Prevent defects (minimize defect fixing costs, improve product quality)
©USC-CSSE

6. Sample GQM Map for Inspections
Organizational Process Improvement
Inspection Process
Goal
Efficiently use inspections to improve process
Increase quality
Increase productivity
Question
Is defect density
being reduced
over time?
Is productivity
increasing over time?
How well are inspections
performing?
What is the return
of inspections?
What are high-leverage
opportunities for defect
prevention?
What are optimal
inspection parameters?
Is the inspection
process under control?
How effective have
process changes been?
Metric
inspection
efficiency
defect removal
effectiveness
inspection ROI
defect density trends
productivity trends
inspection rate
control chart
effectiveness vs.
inspection rate
defect
categorization
effectiveness vs.
preparation/inspection time
effectiveness vs.
# of inspectors
defect finding rate
control chart
©USC-CSSE