Experience of implementing software measurement programmes in industry

Software measurement will be the catalyst for the transition of software development from a craft to an engineering discipline. For two years a major UK Electronics Group has been developing and implementing a strategy to promote and encourage the use of software measurement as part of its software development activities. The strategy has been designed to encourage the Group´s operating companies to implement software measurement programmes relevant to their business needs and to ensure that these programmes deliver useful information to both manager and developers. An overview of the strategy is given and progress in its implementation described. This includes an explanation and justification for a change in emphasis from software measurement for process improvement to software measurement for project management. Recommendations are made for others undertaking similar work