Software Metrics: A Guide to Planning, Analysis, and Application

The modern field of software metrics emerged from the computer modeling and "statistical thinking" services of the 1980s. As the field evolved, metrics programs were integrated with project management, and metrics grew to be a major tool in the managerial decision-making process of software companies. Now practitioners in the software industry have a reference that validates software metrics as a crucial tool for efficient and successful project management and execution. Software Metrics: A Guide to Planning, Analysis, and Application simplifies software measurement and explains its value as a pragmatic tool for management. Ideas and techniques presented in this book are derived from best practices. The ideas are field-proven, down to earth, and straightforward, making this volume an invaluable resource for those striving for process improvement. This overview helps readers enrich their knowledge of measurements and analysis, best practices, and how ordinary analysis techniques can be applied to achieve extraordinary results. Easy-to-understand tools and methods are applied to demonstrate how metrics create models that are indispensable to decision-making in the software industry.

Table of Contents:
SOFTWARE MEASUREMENT A New Order Measurement in Quality Thinking Precision in Expression Representation of Reality Knowledge Creation Measurement Technology Measuring With The Mind: Cognitive Phase Measuring With Words: Semantic Phase Measuring With Numbers: Quantitative Phase The Three Phases Coexist Measurement Scales Levels of Measurements Intrinsic Nature of Measurement Software Measuring Instruments Measurement Continuum The Corner Stone SOFTWARE METRICS Metrics Mapping Simple Metrics Complex Metrics Metrics Are Organization Specific Importance of Estimation and Planning in the Context of Metrics Metrics Vocabulary Guidelines from Quality Standards Applying Software Metrics: A Management Perspective Benefits of Metrics DESIGNING A METRICS SYSTEM Metrics System Information Based Metrics Architecture Goals: The Drivers Decision Centers: The New Organization Models: Knowledge Capsules Metrics: Indicators-Signals Measurement: Sensor System Data Collection Implementing the Metrics System Architecture Metrics Planning Approaches Metrics Planning Document Checklist METRICS DATA VISUALIZATION Data Analysis Visual Analysis Rigorous Analysis Graphical Analysis Visualizing Data Graphical Techniques PIE Charts: Distribution Analysis Mapping Life Cycle Profiles Effort Profile Process Compliance Profile Responsibility Matrix Resource Balancing Contours Radar Charts: A Balanced View Dynamic Views Clustering Data Exploration and Visualization Tools Data Visualization: Emerging Technology METRICS DATA ANALYSIS IN FREQUENCY DOMAIN Frequency Distribution: An Analysis Tool The Normal Distribution Bias: A Process Reality Deriving Frequency Distribution from Data Looking at Histograms Process Capability from Frequency Distribution Probability Process Diagnosis METRICS DATA ANALYSIS IN TIME DOMAIN Viewing in Time Temporal Patterns in Metrics Process Characterization Control Charts Special Forms Control Chart for Effective Application Modernism in Process Control: Decision Support Charts METRICS DATA ANALYSIS IN RELATIONSHIP DOMAIN A Fertile Domain Search for Relationships Perceiving Relationships Strength of Relationship: Correlation Coefficient Causal Relationship and Statistical Correlation Linear Regression Linear Regression: Example Non-Linear Regression Models Non-Linear Regression Analysis of Productivity Multiple Linear Regression Surface Plot Regression Model Application Application 1: Process Optimization Application 2: Forecasting Product Quality Application 3: Defect Correlation Application 4: Causal Analysis Application 5: Demonstrating How Review Makes Customers Happy (Indirectly) Application 6: A Myth Breaks Application 7: The Crossover Application 8: Optimum Team Size? Application 9: Detecting Hidden Problems Application 10: Analysis of Defect Discovery Economics Application 11: Building an Effort Estimation Model Application 12: Calibration of Intuitive Models More Applications PROCESS MODELS From Analysis to Systems Thinking Model Building: Knowledge Consolidation Models Using Single Metric (Analytical Models) Models Using Two Metrics (Regression Models) Higher Level Empirical Models Descriptive Statistics on Multiple Metrics Multiple Analysis of Single Metrics Three Analytical Dimensions Process Diagnostic Panel Analytical Summary of Single Metric Global Summary Process Correlations Multiple Scatter Plots DOE ESTIMATION MODELS Estimation Process Software Estimation Risks Estimation Methodologies Thumb Rules Delphi Estimate Golden Rule Prediction Capability Prediction Equations Estimation Algorithms Estimation Science; the Early Models Advent of Parametric Models Calibration COCOMO Lookup Table Equations COCOMO II.2000 Applications Tailoring COCOMO Estimation System SLIM (Software Lifecycle Management) SLIM-Estimate Software Sizing Tools Estimation Tools METRICS FOR DEFECT MANAGEMENT Defect Measurement Defect Classification Defect Database Analysis of Defect Data Defect Correlation Defect Driver Matrix Looking for Consistency Defect Filter Matrix Defect Detection Probability Rayleigh Defect Discovery Model Three Phases of Reliability Measurement Reliability Enhancement Home Grown Model Quantitative Defect Management ON-LINE USE OF METRICS The Challenge Metric Intelligence Metrics Synchronization Milestone Diary Earned Value Model Extended Milestone Diary Responding to Metrics Discovering "The Factory within the Factory" Few Data: Sharp Focus Choice of Online Metrics Benefits of Online Metrics METRICS BASED DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM Two Systems The Humble Beginning Advent of Software Management Tools Birth of Process Databases Enterprise Integration Process Intelligence A Symbiotic Dependence An Economic Alternative: Metrics Based DSS METRICS FOR STRATEGIC VISION Beyond the Obvious Metrics in Project Management Tailoring Metrics for the Project Setting Quantitative Goals: GMC GMC Analysis Quality Function Deployment (QFD) Risk Estimation Simulating Schedule Risk Mapping Risk Using Risk Exposure Number Analysis of REN Six Sigma Renaissance Consummate Vision METRICS SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION Towards Truth No Universal Method Effective Use of Metrics Looking at Metrics Data Applying Metrics Creating Decision Centers Equip People with Knowledge at Less Cost The Marvelous Spreadsheet Things to Remember During Implementation Lead with Numbers Integrated Management Mirror, Microscope and Telescope Unlimited Scope Bibliography