Metrics Tool

Definition

Metrics Tool

a software tool that directly supports the performance of metrics engineering tasks

Classification

As illustrated in the preceding figure, Metrics Tool is part of the following inheritance hierarchy:

• Type: Concrete
• Superclass: Tool
• Subclasses: None
• Example Instances:
  • Management Metrics Tools (e.g., based on Function Points, Object-Points, or Use Cases):
    • Cost Estimation Tools
    • Effort Estimation Tools
    • Schedule Estimation Tools
    • Staffing Estimation Tools
  • Design and Code Quality Metrics Tools:
    • Complexity Measurement Tools
    • Size Measurement Tools
    • Object-Oriented Design Quality Measurement Tools
  • Test Metrics Tools:
    • Test Coverage Tools
    • Latent Defect Estimation Tools

Responsibilities

The typical responsibilities of a Metrics Tool are to support the performance of the following tasks:

• Metrics Planning
• Metrics Collection
• Metrics Analysis
• Metrics Reporting

Guidelines

• The choice of metrics tools should be driven by the results of the following tasks:
  • Metrics Needs Assessment
  • Vendor and Tool Evaluation
  • Vendor and Tool Selection