Review By: Jim Simmons
07/09/2010

The title of this book says it all. It is an excellent compilation of articles written by recognized experts in the field of IT measurement. Each article is self-contained and designed to provide practical, real-life experiences in the implementation and application of metrics to the fields of software development and software engineering. The collection of articles cover a plethora of topics in the field of software measurement. Several of the articles deal with the fundamentals of measurement and provide an excellent starting point for readers who are new to the software measurement field. Others are for more advanced practitioners in the field, providing in-depth treatments and case studies of a variety of applications of software measurement throughout the areas of software engineering and other IT professional areas. It lays the groundwork for the justification of the establishment of a metrics program in an organization, and provides the nuts and bolts for building a new program or expanding an existing program into different areas of software engineering and information technology. Because of its breadth and depth of coverage, this book can serve as a primary reference for anyone interested in the field of software measurement. This book is like having in hand the proceedings from a world-class conference on software metrics at a fraction of the cost of attending such a conference.

The book provides broad coverage of the major topics in the field of software metrics and measurement. It shows that analytical measurement is a key element in the successful management of every well-established engineering discipline. The application of IT measurement provides this information in the field of software engineering. The authors discuss that fact that software metrics provide quantitative insight into the complex processes of software development, enabling effective management of the development process leading to improved productivity and improved quality of the software products. The goal of a metrics program is to provide objective information to assist in making decisions, identifying issues, correcting problems, and managing prospective risks.

Although the International Function Point Users Group compiled the book, which is a collection of articles written by experts in the field of IT measurement, the book goes well beyond the application of function points to IT measurement. It provides expert guidance in the application of software metrics throughout the IT enterprise.

The book comprises thirteen subject areas each containing two or more chapters (articles) devoted to the subject area. Topics include the basics for establishing a metrics program in an organization; the application of software measurement; project management; project estimating; outsourcing; requirements management; IT Balanced Scorecards; Statistical Process Control; and e-commerce. Most of the articles provide practical, real-world applications of the measurement techniques that are immediately applicable in the various information technology areas. Each article also includes biographical information on the author(s) and many include contact information as well. There is also an extensive bibliography at the end of the book for further reading in the field. I would highly recommend this book not only to professionals in the software measurement field, but to anyone involved in the software development profession.