KC 8 - Metrics and Measurement - CONTENTS

2006 CSQA Body of Knowledge
Knowledge Category 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