Metrics-based evaluation of object-oriented software development methods

The efficiency of software development (i.e. producing good software products based on an efficient software process) must be controlled by a quantification of the software development methodologies. This is a main aspect of a successful method/technology change in the area of software maintenance as a means of method adaptation. The descriptions of object-oriented (OO) methods or comparisons of some of these features are usually given by a listing of their features. These descriptions describe the functionality of a particular development method but often fail to address quality issues like efficiency, maintainability, portability, maturity, etc. This paper describes the evaluation of technology change related to OO development methods. It discusses the applicability of metrics-based evaluation as an indicator of the quality assurance of the OO development process