Multidimensional Software Performance Measurement Models: A Tetrahedron-based Design

Abstract

This work presents an improved version of an open multi-dimensional model of performance, called QEST (Quality factor + Economic, Social and Technical dimensions) [8]. Performance is defined here as productivity adjusted by quality, both of which can be represented from multiple viewpoints. The QEST model integrates into a single representation three dimensions, each one represented by a productivity measurement value derived from an instrument-based measurement process, which value is then adjusted by a perception-based measurement of quality achieved. Both components of performance, that is productivity and quality, take into account the same three distinct viewpoints of performance: economic dimension, the perspective is the managers’ viewpoint, with particular attention paid to cost and schedule drivers; social dimension, the perspective is the users’ viewpoint, with particular attention paid to the quality in use drivers; technical dimension, the perspective is the developers’ viewpoint, with particular attention paid to technical quality. KeywordsSoftware MeasurementTechnical DimensionRegular TetrahedronMultiple ViewpointSlope SectionThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.