Measuring Performance

SMS provides services and advice on how to evaluate software development productivity, time-to-market, quality and functionality for performance analysis. We can offer appraisal or benchmarking for management and improvement, either periodically or as required.

Effective, relevant and visible metrics are essential to the management of successful change and improvement programmes. It is a well known saying that if you can't measure it, you can't manage it, and this is no less true of software performance. Using effective modern functional sizing methods allows an organisation engaged in process improvement to:

• establish a baseline
• identify opportunities for improvement
• demonstrate added value delivered by the improvement programme
• quantify supplier performance

Benchmarking provides comparative project performance data which can be used to identify and justify improvement opportunities. It also provides information on ease-of-use and cost-to-implement, which can be used:

• to size requirements, and therefore base estimates on user needs and expectations;
• for better quality control and change management of requirements;
• to plan projects and track progress with respect to the functionality required, delivered and/or changed;
• to normalise performance and product quality measures (e.g. Productivity is expressed as <Size Delivered/Effort Expended>; Velocity is expressed as <Size Delivered/Time To Deliver>; Defect Density is expressed as <#Defects/Size> – all these metrics need a measure of functional size as a key input).

Where to start?

SMS can collect benchmarking data for your organisation, using our Fast Data Collection Study process.

Any performance measurement or benchmarking exercise will start with some form of scoping exercise. Running a pilot with SMS to trial the techniques in your organisation can be both inexpensive and quick.

SMS Functional Size Pilot Study

SMS has put together the following special consulting package to help you get started:

• An initial discussion to agree the scope, objectives and deliverables of an FSM Pilot Study in the context of your organisation
• A Kick-Off Workshop to explain the process with the project team(s) selected for inclusion in the pilot study
• Application of the chosen FSM technique by experienced consulting analysts to the selected project(s)
• Collection of related data and calculation of derived measurements
• Presentation of the results of the FSM Pilot Study to the key stakeholders in your organisation, including details of the benefits

Each FSM Pilot Study is designed to be completed in one week at a cost of you of just £10,000 GBP*. Contact SMS for details.

* offer available to 31 October 2007.

Click here for training courses in Measuring Performance.

How are these SMS services related?

The SMS services for Benchmarking and Performance Measurement utilise similar Tools and Techniques but can be regarded as otherwise independent of each other: A scoping study often forms a standard component of a Benchmark exercise.