Abstract
In this paper we report on our empirical study of SPI programmes in thirteen UK software companies. We focus on companies’ approaches to SPI and how measurement relates to SPI in those companies. We present quantitative data characterising SPI and measurement in the companies. We discuss how the use of measurement relates to the maturity of software processes and how measurement supports maturing processes. Our results show that companies are generally enthusiastic about implementing measurement and they believe that SPI is impoverished without measurement. However our data shows that in reality companies have implemented very little substantive measurement. Indeed we suggest that companies find implementing measurement within SPI more difficult than they expect. Furthermore, we report on data from software personnel suggesting that companies are reluctant to implement measurement because it is difficult to justify in terms of quick pay backs. Overall our research suggests that despite companies knowing that measurement is fundamental to SPI, it is rarely implemented effectively.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Fransella, F., Bannister, D.: A Manual of Repertory Grid Technique. Academic Press, London (1977)
Fenton, N., Pfleeger, S.L.: Software Metrics: A Rigorous and Practical Approach. Thompson International (1997)
Pfleeger, S.L.: Lessons Learned Building a Corporate Metrics Programme. IEEE Software, May (1993)
Grady, R., Caswell, D.: Software Metrics: Establishing a Company-wide Programme. Prentice-Hall (1987)
Hall, T., Fenton, N.: Implementing effective software metrics programmes. IEEE Software, May (1997)
Jeffery, R., Berry, M.: A Framework for Evaluation and Predication of Metrics Programme Success. Procs of the 1st Int. Software Metrics Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland, May (1993)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2001 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Hall, T., Baddoo, N., Wilson, D. (2001). Measurement in Software Process Improvement Programmes: An Empirical Study. In: Dumke, R., Abran, A. (eds) New Approaches in Software Measurement. IWSM 2000. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2006. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-44704-0_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-44704-0_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-41727-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-44704-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive