A Support Process Area at Maturity Level 2
The purpose of Measurement and Analysis (MA) is to develop and sustain a measurement capability used to support management information needs.
The Measurement and Analysis process area involves the following activities:
· Specifying objectives of measurement and analysis so they are aligned with identified information needs and objectives
· Specifying measures, analysis techniques, and mechanisms for data collection, data storage, reporting, and feedback
· Implementing the collection, storage, analysis, and reporting of data
· Providing objective results that can be used in making informed decisions, and taking appropriate corrective action
The integration of measurement and analysis activities into the processes of the project supports the following:
· Objective planning and estimating
· Tracking actual performance against established plans and objectives
· Identifying and resolving process-related issues
· Providing a basis for incorporating measurement into additional processes in the future
The staff required to implement a measurement capability may or may not be employed in a separate organization-wide program. Measurement capability may be integrated into individual projects
or other organizational functions (e.g., quality assurance).
The initial focus for measurement activities is at the project level. However, a measurement capability may prove useful for addressing organization- and enterprise-wide information needs. To
support this capability, measurement activities should support information needs at multiple levels, including the business, organizational unit, and project to minimize re-work as the organization matures.
Projects may choose to store project-specific data and results in a project-specific repository. When data are shared widely across projects, data may reside in the organization’s measurement
repository.
Measurement and analysis of product components provided by suppliers is essential for effective management of the quality and costs of the project. It is possible, with careful management of
supplier agreements, to provide insight into data that support supplier-performance analysis.
The acquirer specifies measures that enable it to gauge its own progress and output, supplier progress and output per contractual requirements, and the status of the evolving products
acquired. An acquirer establishes measurement objectives for its activities and work products and supplier activities and deliverables. Measurement objectives are derived from information needs that come from project objectives, organizational
objectives, and business needs.
Measurement objectives are used to define measures as well as collection, analysis, storage, and usage procedures for measures. These measures are specified in the project plan. Measures for
the supplier, data collection processes and timing, expected analysis, and required storage should be specified in the supplier agreement.
In projects where multiple products are acquired to deliver a capability to the end user or where there are relationships with other projects to acquire joint capabilities, additional
measures may be identified to track and achieve interoperability for programmatic, technical, and operational interfaces.
Refer to the Project Planning process area for more information about estimating project attributes and other planning information needs.
Refer to the Project Monitoring and Control process area for more information about monitoring project performance information needs.
Refer to the Configuration Management process area for more information about managing measurement work products.
Refer to the Requirements Management process area for more information about maintaining requirements traceability and related information
needs.
Refer to the Solicitation and Supplier Agreement Development process area for more information about including supplier measures in the solicitation package and in
the supplier agreement.
Refer to the Organizational Process Definition process area for more information about establishing the organization’s measurement
repository.
Refer to the Quantitative Project Management process area for more information about understanding variation and the appropriate use of statistical analysis
techniques.
Specific Goal and Practice Summary
SG 1 Align Measurement and Analysis Activities
SP 1.1 Establish Measurement Objectives
SP 1.2 Specify Measures
SP 1.3 Specify Data Collection and Storage Procedures
SP 1.4 Specify Analysis Procedures
SG 2 Provide Measurement Results
SP 2.1 Obtain Measurement Data
SP 2.2 Analyze Measurement Data
SP 2.3 Store Data and Results
SP 2.4 Communicate Results
Specific Practices by Goal