QEST nD: n-dimensional extension and generalisation of a software performance measurement model

Abstract

Process and product measurement is one of the key topics in the Software Engineering field. There already exists a significant number of one-dimensional (1D) models of performance, which integrate all individual measurements into a single performance index. However, these types of models are too over-simplified to adequately reflect the multi-dimensional nature of performance. Similarly, 1D models do not meet the analytical requirements of management when various ‘viewpoints’ must be taken into account simultaneously. This papers proposes a multi-dimensional measurement model capable of handling, concurrently, distinct but related areas of interest, each representing a dimension of performance. The proposed model is based on an open model called Quality factor+Economic, Social and Technical dimensions (QEST) which had been developed to handle, simultaneously and concurrently, a three-dimensional perspective of performance: • economic dimension—the perspective of managers; • social dimension—the perspective of users; • technical dimension—the perspective of developers. A more generic form of this model has been developed to handle a greater number of perspectives, as required by, for instance, several Performance Management frameworks such as the Balanced Scorecard, the Intangible Asset Monitor and the Skandia Navigator. This paper presents the generic form derived from the QEST model, referred to as QEST nD, with the ability to handle n possible dimensions. The generic model is also verified for the particular case of three dimensions using sample data previously applied to the original QEST software performance model.