Assume you work for an organization that develops database products for individuals and small businesses. This organization is interested in quantifying its software development. Write a report suggesting appropriate metrics and suggest how these can be collected.

What will be an ideal response?

No absolute right or wrong answer to this question – I am looking for evidence that
the student has thought about the problem.
The organisation is interested in quantifying its software development so may
collect metrics about its products and about its processes. The type of software
which is developed is important as the metrics should take into account its
characteristics. In this case, the company is developing database products for
microcomputers so:
• As they are shrink-wrapped products, they will run on many different
system configurations. Configuration dependent problems may occur. It is
important that the system should not hang the machine on which it is
running.
• As they are database products, it is important that the system does not
corrupt the database
Product metrics
1. Product metrics should be used to judge the quality and efficiency of the
software.
2. Total number of measured faults detected by testing
3. Total number of faults which resulted in database corruption
4. Total number of system failures which forced a system restart
5. Number of database transactions processed per unit time.
6. Time to read/write large DB records
Process metrics
1. Number of different configurations used for system testing
2. Number of fault reports submitted
3. Average time required to clear fault after it is reported
4. Time required to run system regression tests