At this conference, Arie van Deursen, Joost Visser and I will be organizing a three-hour tutorial. To quote our proposal:
Using software metrics to keep track of the progress and quality of products and processes is a common practice in industry. Additionally, designing, validating and improving metrics is an important research area. Although using software metrics can help in reaching goals, the effects of using metrics incorrectly can be devastating.
In this tutorial we leverage 10 years of metrics-based risk
assessment experience to illustrate the benefits of software metrics, discuss different types of metrics and explain typical usage
scenario’s. Additionally, we explore various ways in which metrics
can be interpreted using examples solicited from participants
and practical assignments based on industry cases. During this
process we will discuss four common pitfalls of using software metrics.
In particular, we explain why metrics should be placed in
a context in order to maximize their benefits. A methodology
based on benchmarking to provide such a context is discussed
and illustrated by a model designed to quantify the technical
quality of a software system. Examples of applying this model in
industry are given and challenges involved in interpreting such
a model are discussed.
This tutorial provides an in-depth overview of the benefits
and challenges involved in applying software metrics. At the end
you will have all the information you need to use, develop and
evaluate metrics constructively.
Meanwhile, please feel free to share your thoughts, remarks or questions on this topic via the comments or any other means of communication!
