How to Observe Software Systems

Quality Software #2.1

by Gerald M. Weinberg

To consistently produce high-quality software in today's competitive marketplace, managers must have reliable information, obtained through careful observation and measurement. How to Observe Software Systems is a comprehensive guide to the basic measurement activities every organization must perform to manage the software development process.
Many management failures are caused by poor observation. First-Order Measurement tells how to observe properly with the aid of a four-step model to break the complex observation process into a series of smaller, simpler, steps. The book also defines the different levels of measurement, and describes the minimum set of activities in order to start a measurement program.
Numerous examples and diagrams illustrate the author's points, and exercises challenge readers to test their understanding of the concepts. Topics include
• why observation is important
• selecting what to observe
• visualizing the product
• visualizing the process
• pitfalls when making meaning from observations
• the direct observation of quality
• comparison of cost and value
• meta-measurement
This stand-alone text is the third in a series of volumes in which acclaimed author Gerald Weinberg explores the most difficult aspects of building high-quality software.

Genres: Management, Nonfiction

Nook

First published December 23, 2010

About the author

Gerald Marvin Weinberg (October 27, 1933 – August 7, 2018) was an American computer scientist, author and teacher of the psychology and anthropology of computer software development.

Reviews

[Johnny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting topic, but this book offers too few details on how to adapt the theory in a real world scenario.