IT Measurement: Practical Advice from the Experts [Paperback]

International Function Point Users Group (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 020174158X | ISBN-13: 978-0201741582 | Publication Date: April 27, 2002 | Edition: 1

In today's brutally tough software marketplace, quantifying software quality and process output is more important than ever. In this book, the world's leading software measurement experts bring together advanced software measurement techniques for enhancing quality, increasing productivity, and maximizing the business value of software. With contributions from renowned experts such as Capers Jones and Howard Rubin, this book is the definitive guide to state-of-the-art software metrics. Specific topics covered include: new roles for function point metrics; measuring work output for IT work units; using metrics to estimate and track projects more effectively; benchmarking; statistical process control; software sizing; predicting software reliability; IT "balanced scorecard" approaches, and more. The book also includes detailed coverage of metrics for outsourcing agreements and B2B e-commerce projects. For every IT executive, manager, project manager, and professional concerned with improving the efficiency and effectiveness of software development.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

With Contributions by Capers Jones, Howard Rubin, David Garmus, Lawrence Putnam, and Elizabeth Clark

The 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 world's 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 book's 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 explores several vital areas, including Function Point Analysis, project estimation and management, outsourcing, statistical process control, and more. These articles range from basic theory to the sophisticated application of metrics. Specific topics covered include:

• The expanding role of function point metrics
• Work output measurement for IT work units
• The use of metrics for tracking
• Enhanced estimation with metrics
• Metrics in outsourcing
• Standardization of SLOC
• The application of SPC to performance management
• Functional metrics in B2B e-commerce project success

Enlightening and pragmatic, IT Measurement will help you gain a deeper understanding of software metrics and the ability to apply concrete measures in order to objectively evaluate and more finely shape your software development program.

020174158XB02212002

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.

020174158XAB02212002

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 800 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional; 1 edition (April 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 020174158X
• ISBN-13: 978-0201741582
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,033,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Goes well beyond software estimating, April 18, 2002

By 

Mike Tarrani "www.tarrani.com" (Deltona, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: IT Measurement: Practical Advice from the Experts (Paperback)

This book is a panoramic view of metrics across the enterprise. Although the book is written by members of the International Function Point Users Group it goes well beyond software estimating. It encompasses measurement techniques that are consistent with function points, but are also useful when applied to other methods.As expected, the book starts with a discussion of function points, its evolution as a methodology, and how it has evolved as a means of measuring a full spectrum of attributes, such as quality, productivity, time and effort. In addition to generic attribute metrics this book shows how function points can be applied to earned value project management, developing a balanced scorecard that views the enterprise holisitcally, business and e-commerce metrics and evaluations and benchmarking.

Parts that I especially like include:
* The complete data collection, analysis and action process that is embodied in the book. This can be used in any setting, such as the Constructive Cost Model (CoCoMo), as well as FP.

* IT work units, which are applicable to production services and support. This dispells the notion that function points are only useful for software estimating. This is also augmented by a later section in the book that addresses IT and business measures that is sure to change the way you approach measuring the overall value of IT.

* Demonstrated use of function points as a viable project estimating technique that extends to projects other than software development.

* Clearly written explanation of statistical process controls.

I've only highlighted the parts of the book in which I have personal and professional interests. The book contains much more material that covers the entire spectrum of enterprise metrics, including case studies and reflecting the views of each individual author who contributed chapter(s). In my opinion this book is, and will remain for years to come, one of the most important texts on IT measurement. Time will tell, of course, but I haven't found a more complete book on the subject.