IT Measurement: Practical Advice from the Experts - Softcover

International Function Point Users Group, .

Softcover

ISBN 10: 020174158X ISBN 13: 9780201741582

Publisher: AddisonWesley Professional, 2002

Synopsis

With Contributions by Capers Jones, Howard Rubin, David Garmus, Lawrence Putnam, and Elizabeth ClarkThe accurate, quantitative measurement of software quality and process performance is rapidly becoming an essential part of competition in the ever-tightening software marketplace. Software metrics provide insights into productivity and quality gains from improvements in skill, technology, and development methodology. An effective metrics program helps practitioners assemble the best team, select the optimal development methodology, and enhance the quality of a software product. In short, metrics enable software developers to pursue proven, successful strategies, and to change course when metrics point to less-than-optimum quality or productivity.Written by the worlds leading authorities in the field, IT Measurement showcases state-of-the-art in software metrics and provides the practical knowledge that practitioners need in order to take full advantage of software metrics technology. The books collected articles offer important perspectives on the role of metrics in the development process, and show how metrics directly enhance software quality and output efficiency.The book explore

About this title

About the Author

The International Function Point Users Group (IFPUG) is a non-profit organization committed to enhancing technology environments through the application of Function Point Analysis (FPA) and other software measurement techniques. The IFPUG maintains the Function Point Counting Practices Manual, the industry standard for FPA, and provides a forum for information exchange that encourages the use of software and process metrics.

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Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

This is a book whose time has come. As the software industry continues to mature, there is an increased emphasis on the need to better understand the impact of technology, methodology, and effective use of skilled resources. Software measurement is one of the key components necessary to effectively monitor progress. Software measurement, for the purposes of this book, is defined as the definition, collection, consolidation, analysis, and reporting of quantitative and qualitative measures within the software development and maintenance arena. Software metrics provide insights into productivity and quality gains realized as a result of applying a combination of skills, technology, and methodology to the software problem domain.

As you begin to read and use this book, you will find a compilation of articles dealing with various aspects of software measurement. The authors include noted industry gurus on the subject, such as Capers Jones and Howard Rubin, as well as writings from both practitioners and service providers. The articles are designed to reflect real-life experiences from which we can all learn.

The contents of this book are intended to serve as a series of reference points on a variety of measurement-related topics. It is unlikely that anyone will pick up the book and read it cover to cover. The audience, therefore, will be as broad as the scope of topics covered. Several of the articles deal with the fundamentals of measurement, while others are for the more advanced or sophisticated practitioner.

The development of this book was part of a volunteer committee effort under the banner of the International Function Point Users Group (IFPUG). However, this compilation of articles is not solely focused on advancing awareness of the use of function points. The book's primary purpose is to provide the audience with the best information available regarding the use of software metrics.

Each of the thirteen parts contains two or more chapters, which are presented alphabetically by author. We have provided a brief biography for each author that will enable you to contact the author directly if you wish to discuss a given topic in greater detail. We also invited the inclusion of a company profile if an author so desired. This form of "advertising" is the only compensation these authors will receive for this book. They contributed their articles with the complete understanding that this was a book intended for the betterment of the software industry as a whole.

The idea for this book came out of the Management Reporting Committee (MRC), one of IFPUG's subcommittees. Its charter it is to support the IFPUG organization with regard to the development and publication of documents necessary to advance the use of software metrics. Once the book was approved by the Executive Board, MRC set about its task of soliciting articles.

A three-tier list of potential authors was compiled that included invitations to industry notables, known practitioners in the field of software metrics, and various membership audiences from a variety of software metrics-related organizations. A range of topics was developed, and responses from those solicited were reviewed based on a common set of acceptance criteria. Once in place, the articles were grouped into sections.

The MRC reviewed all the articles and wrote introductions to the sections. They served as the "agent" between the publisher and the authors, taking on the task of ensuring all reviews and edits were done properly. This book is the result of their tireless efforts, and a note of thanks is appropriate to the following committee members:

David Herron, Committee Chair
Janet Russac, Vice Chair
Dawn Coley
James Curfman
Barbara Emmons
Joe Schofield

We should also note the efforts of the IFPUG organization as a whole: the insight of the Board, who authorized the funding for this project, and select members who contributed some of the writings in this book.

The International Function Point Users' Group (IFPUG) is a membership-governed, nonprofit organization committed to increasing the effectiveness of its members' information technology environments through the application of function point analysis (FPA) and other software measurement techniques. IFPUG endorses FPA as its standard methodology for software sizing. In support of this, IFPUG maintains the Function Point Counting Practices Manual, the recognized industry standard for FPA. IFPUG also provides a forum for networking and information exchange that promotes and encourages the use of software product and process metrics. IFPUG members benefit from a variety of services, including

• Annual Conference: IFPUG's annual conference brings together leading industry experts, practitioners, and technology vendors for a week-long exchange of experiences and presentations on the latest happenings in the field of software metrics. The Vendor Showcase provides conference attendees the opportunity to compare state-of-the-art products and services in support of the IT measurement discipline.
• Educational Seminars and Workshops: In conjunction with its conferences, IFPUG offers a variety of training opportunities designed to complement sound software management practices. Workshops cover a range of topics, including function point counting practices, project management techniques, and process improvement strategies.
• Professional Certification: Through its Certified Function Point Specialist (CFPS) program, IFPUG offers professional certification for practitioners of FPA. The certification program has recently been extended to cover function point training materials and software tools designed to perform FPA tasks.
• Working Committees: IFPUG members support the advancement of software metrics disciplines by volunteering to participate on a variety of working committees. These committees produce vital information for the membership on counting standards, management reporting guidelines, and the impact of new technologies on the software measurement process.
• Industry Publications: IFPUG produces and maintains a suite of timely publications on software measurement standards and guidelines. METRICVIEWS, the official newsletter of IFPUG, is a leading source of current information, ideas, and success stories in the field of software measurement.

Organized in 1986, IFPUG is one of the fastest growing software metrics user groups in the world. With the addition of its affiliate member organizations, IFPUG serves over 1200 members in more than 30 countries. IFPUG members represent every major industry segment, including aerospace, automotive, banking, insurance, manufacturing, retail, and telecommunications. For further information on the International Function Point User Group, please contact their offices in Princeton Junction, New Jersey (phone number 609-799-4900) or access them electronically on their Web site at www.ifpug.org.

David Herron

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Edition details

• Publisher: AddisonWesley Professional
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 020174158X
• ISBN 13: 9780201741582
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 800