Software Metrics: Best Practices for Successful IT Management

13.1 INITIATION

Looking at the Initiation Stage, Figure 13.4, there are many triggers that can start a Software Metrics initiative and there are many individuals within an organization who can recognize such a trigger. As this is often beyond the control of the person who will be responsible for implementing the program we will not dwell on this. However, it is worth remembering that the more senior an initiator is, the more vague the requirements are likely to be. Vague requirements are not good news for a Software metrics program.

Triggers

• Productivity/quality concerns

• Management/customer demands for information

• Fear

• Control = competitive edge

Initiators

• IT management

• Senior management (non IT)

• Quality, Process Improvement or R&D function

• A 'technocrat'