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-measurementThis 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

244 pages, Kindle Edition

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.