Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
How Did We Get Here and How Does It Affect Business Objectives?
Many of us were taught that we need to gather large volumes of data before
analyzing and using it, but the flipside is that today we are using shorter
development cycles and the value of data erodes quickly over time.
Think about what is going on here. We said earlier the purpose of mea-
surements is to
guide decisions
. These decisions in turn affect how well we
do at achieving our business objectives. But if the measurements we are
taking do not adequately consider the
critical factors
that threaten our
goals, what chance do we have of making the best decision?
I also discovered that while people had been trained in the importance of the
company standard measures, due to schedule pressures the data had often
been entered quickly without adequate consideration for its accuracy.
3.9 Deriving the Right Data and Caring about the Data
This leads to the question:
How do you get people to derive the right data and care about the data?
In Watts Humphrey's topic [13] where he explains the Personal Software
Process (PSP), the point is made that:
Because of a short feedback cycle, the engineers realize the effect of the PSP,
and use their own performance data to gauge their improvements.
This same principle holds for small teams.
9
Experience indicates that when
small teams are empowered to collect data and remove real obstacles in their
path, the right data is derived and accurately collected because they know it
is critical to achieving the goal. This is consistent with Lean and Agile princi-
ples to empower the team and remove obstacles.
LESSON 4
Use small empowered teams to derive meaningful measures, and then
review and refine in short cycles.
9. It is worth noting that Version 1.3 of the CMMI for Development scheduled for release in November
2010 features teams more prominently. To be specific, the draft released in February 2010 has the defini-
tion for team (not in Version 1.2), as well as one new practice in OPD on teaming standards, and one in
IPM on establishing teams. This could change in the final release.
