An Approach To Metrics Modelling

Abstract

Abstract So far in this monograph we have described a number of serious problems that afflict the metrics area. Also, in the preceding chapter, we have examined some ways in which researchers have attempted to put the study of metrics on a more formal footing. This chapter first examines a promising recent approach to metrics development – the GQM method – and then outlines our approach to metrics development. This approach is based on adapting the axiomatic approach outlined in the preceding chapter and modifying the GQM method. We present a small, artificial example to describe the approach. There has been little effort directed towards development methods for software metrics, in part due to the belated realization of the problems involved in the field. Two of the few contributions of significance are the Goal – Question – Metric (GQM) paradigm of Victor Basil et al. and the constructive quality model (COQUAMO) methodology, which employs a similar hierarchic approach based around software quality factors, criteria and metrics. However, given the importance of the model for software measurement, GQM is only a partial methodology. In the final parts of this chapter we extend this metric development methodology so that it recognizes the central role of a model explicitly; and this is illustrated by a simple example. A fuller example is presented Chapter 6.