8. Metrics and Measurement

A properly established measurement system is used to help achieve missions, visions, goals, and objectives. Measurement data is most reliable when it is generated as a by-product of producing a product or service. The QA analyst must ensure that quantitative data is valued and reliable, and presented to management in a timely and easy-to-use manner. Measurement can be used to gauge the status, effectiveness and efficiency of processes, customer satisfaction, product quality, and as a tool for management to use in their decision-making processes. This category addresses measurement concepts, the use of measurement in a software development environment, variation, process capability, risk management, the ways measurement can be used and how to implement an effective measurement program.

 Measurement Concepts

·        Standard Units of Measure

·        Metrics

·        Objective and Subjective Measurement

·        Types of Measurement Data (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio)

·        Measures of Central Tendency (mean, medium, mode etc.)

·        Attributes of Good Measurement

·        Using Quantitative Data to Manage an IT Function

·        Key Indicators

Measurement in Software

·        Product Measurement (size, complexity, quality and customer perception)

·        Process Measurement 

Variation and Process Capability

·        The Measurement Program

·        Installing the Measurement Program

·        Common and Special Causes of Variation

·        Variation and Process Improvement

·        Process Capability

Risk Management

·        Defining Risk

·        Characterizing Risk (situational, time-based, interdependent, magnitude dependent, value-based)

·        Managing Risks

·        Software Risk Management

·        Risks of Integrating New Technology

 Implementing a Measurement Program

·        The Need for Measurement

·        Prerequisites