[Note: The following template is provided for use with the Rational Unified Process (RUP), and is designed for use in conjunction with the detailed guidance provided within RUP. As with most of the templates provided with RUP, this template should be customized to suit the context of the specific project it will be used on.]
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Guidelines for Using the Measurement Information Specification Template
As you start working with this template, consider first the reasons for doing measurement. Identify the information need or issue for which you want measure-supported information. Use the template in the following order:
ˇ Describe the information need in this template, and the related measurable concept that will provide information regarding this need.
ˇ Consider the process you are using. Think about the entities and attributes of the process or work product and consider the sources of information.
ˇ Define the base measures (based on entity and attributes of the process or work product), using this template. You may elect to leave out some of the details as you begin this process (those items highlighted with a lighter gray box).
ˇ Consider what indicator(s) will help with the information need, and determine what derived measure(s) might be needed, or if the base measures suffice. Define the indicator(s) and any derived measures that are needed, using this template.
ˇ For each of the base measures you have defined, think about how the data will be collected.
ˇ For each of the indicators you will produce, describe how analysis will occur, and who will receive the results.
ˇ For those who are archiving measures for future projects, you can also provide additional information relative to how this measure may be applied, or additional items to keep in mind.
ˇ Capture all of this information in your measurement plan.
Information Need Description |
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Information Need |
Identify what the measurement user (e.g., manager or project team member) needs to know in order to make informed decisions.
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Information Category |
Identify the PSM standard information category name (such as Schedule and Progress), or indicate that this is a new category.
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Measurable Concept |
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Measurable Concept |
Name or describe the concept (an idea for satisfying the information need by using relevant entities and their attributes). See the PSM I-C-M table for examples, such as Milestone Completion.
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Entities and Attributes |
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Relevant Entities |
Identify the entity (object) that is to be measured. Entities include process or product elements of a project. 1.
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Attributes |
For each entity, identify one or more attributes (properties or characteristics) that will be quantified. [Note: for automated measurement, this must be the precise database element or other direct source of data.] 1.
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Base Measure Specification |
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Base Measures |
Identify base measures to support the information need. A base measure is a measure of a single attribute defined by a specified measurement method (e.g., planned number of lines of code, cumulative cost to date). As data is collected, a value is assigned to a base measure. 1.
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Measurement Methods |
Identify the logical sequence of operations that define the counting rule to calculate each base measure (such as counting semicolons for code size). 1.
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Type of Method |
Identify the type of method used, either subjective (relying on human judgment) or objective (quantification). 1.
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Scale |
Identify the set of values, or set of categories, for the attribute measured (e.g. integer values greater than 0). 1.
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Type of Scale |
Identify the type of scale - ratio (numeric data, 0 to infinity), interval (numeric data, 1 to infinity), ordinal (rankings), or nominal (categories). 1.
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Unit of Measurement |
Identify the standardized quantitative amount that will be counted to derive the value of each base measure, such as an hour or a page of text. 1.
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Derived Measure Specification |
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Derived Measure |
Describe any derived measures used. A derived measure is developed as a function of two or more values of base measures. 1.
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Measurement Function |
Identify the formula used to calculate each derived measure. 1.
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Indicator Specification |
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Indicator Description and Sample |
Provide a description and a display of one or more measures (base and derived) to support the user in deriving information for analysis and decision-making. An indicator is often displayed as a graph or chart.
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Analysis Model |
Describe algorithms to be used with the measures. As needed, describe the underlying model of expected behavior of the measures over time.
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Decision Criteria |
Identify thresholds, limits, and targets used to trigger action or further investigation.
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Indicator Interpretation (sample chart) |
For sample measures only, describe how the indicator in question was interpreted, and what decisions were made as a result.
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Data Collection Procedure (For Each Base Measure) |
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Frequency of Data Collection |
Identify how often a measure will be collected (e.g. monthly, weekly). 1.
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Responsible Individual |
Identify who is responsible for data collection and validation. 1.
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Phase or Activity in which Collected |
Identify lifecycle phases or activities when this data is collected. 1.
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Tools Used in Data Collection |
Identify tools used for data collection. 1.
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Verification and Validation |
Identify methods used to verify and validate the data. 1.
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Repository for Collected Data |
Identify where the identified data will be stored. 1.
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Data Analysis Procedure (For Each Indicator) |
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Frequency of Data Reporting |
Identify how often an indicator will be generated (e.g. monthly, weekly). 1.
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Responsible Individual |
Identify who is responsible for data analysis. 1.
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Phase or Activity in which Analyzed |
Identify the lifecycle phase or activity during which analysis will be performed. 1.
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Source of Data for Analysis |
Identify the source of the data to be analyzed. 1.
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Tools Used in Analysis |
Identify any tools to be used in the analysis. 1.
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Review, Report, or User |
Identify where the analysis will be reported and used (e.g. design review, monthly program review). 1.
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Additional Information |
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Additional Analysis Guidance |
Provide any additional guidance that the measurement analyst should consider during the analysis. Indicate related indicators or measures. Indicate any additional decision criteria that may be considered at a later date.
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Implementation Considerations |
Provide any implementation considerations that the measurement analyst should keep in mind. Identify any lessons learned or guidance.
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