An experimental process metrics support environment and a cross-organizational study on its acceptance by practitioners

Measurement programs are key to learning about the effectiveness of software engineering methods. However the potential impact of measurement on the practice of industrial software development has not yet been fully exploited. Social obstacles to the widespread institutionalization of measurement programs are identified. A metrics approach consisting of a process and a support environment which were developed to address the social issues identified is presented. The acceptance of the approach by project personnel was examined in a cross-organizational study involving professional software engineers from five medium- to large sized software development companies.