The purpose of Measurement and Analysis (MA) is to develop and sustain a measurement capability that is used to support management information needs.

The Measurement and Analysis process area involves the following:

·  Specifying the objectives of measurement and analysis such that they are aligned with identified information needs and objectives

·  Specifying the measures, analysis techniques, and mechanism for data collection, data storage, reporting, and feedback

·  Implementing the collection, storage, analysis, and reporting of the data

·  Providing objective results that can be used in making informed decisions, and taking appropriate corrective actions

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/or enterprise-wide information needs. To support this capability, the 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 more widely across projects, the data may reside in the organization’s measurement repository.

Measurement and analysis of the 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 the data that support supplier-performance analysis.

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 Development process area for more information about meeting customer requirements and related information needs.

Refer to the Requirements Management process area for more information about maintaining requirements traceability and related information needs.

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  Collect Measurement Data

SP 2.2  Analyze Measurement Data

SP 2.3  Store Data and Results

SP 2.4  Communicate Results