Measurement Performance Flashcards
Metric
A description of a project or product attribute and how to measure it.
Baseline
The approved version of a work product used as a basis for comparison to actual results.
Dashboard
A set of charts and graphs showing progress or performance against important measures of the project.
KPI’s
Key Performance Indicators
What reasons are measurements used for?
Evaluating performance compared to plan
Tracking the utilization of resources, work completed, budget expended, etc.
Demonstrating accountability
Providing information to stakeholders
Assessing whether project deliverables are on track to deliver planned benefits
Focusing conversations about trade-offs, threats, opportunities, and options
Ensuring the project deliverables will meet customer acceptance criteria
What is the value of measurements?
The conversations about how to use the data to take appropriate action.
What is NOT the value of measurements?
It is NOT in the collection and dissemination of the data.
The Performance Domain focuses on what measures?
Measures for ACTIVE projects. It addresses measures and metrics that are used DURING the project.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Are quantifiable measures used to evaluate the success of a project. They have no real use unless and until they are used.
What are the two types of KPIs?
Leading Indicators and Lagging Indicators
Leading Indicators
Predict changes or trends in the project.
Leading Indicators that are not quantifiable but provide early warning signs that project performance may be at risk.
Lack of risk management process.
Stakeholders who are not available or engaged.
Poorly defined project success criteria.
Lagging Indicators
Measure project deliverables or events. They provide information AFTER the fact.
SMART Metrics
Specific
Meaningful or Measurable
Achievable or Agreed to
Relevant or Realistic or Reasonable
Timely or Time Bound
A Specific Measurement
Specific as to what to measure. Examples include the # of defects, the defects that have been fixed, etc.
Meaningful Measurement
Should be tied to the business case, baselines, or requirements. It is NOT efficient to measure attributes that do not lead to meeting objectives or improving performance. AKA ‘Measurable’
Achievable Measurement
Achievable given the people, technology, and environment. AKA ‘Agreed to’
Relevant Measurement
Should provide value and allow for actionable information. AKA ‘Reasonable/Realistic’
Timely Measurement
Useful measurements are timely. Forward looking info, such as emerging trends, can help project teams change direction and make better decisions. AKA ‘ Time Bound’
Common categories of metrics are?
Deliverable Metrics
Delivery
Baseline Performance
Resources
Business Value
Stakeholders
Forecast
Customary Deliverable Metrics
Information on errors or defects
Measures of performance
Technical performance measures
Delivery Measurements
Associated with Work in Progress (frequently used in adaptive approaches).
Examples of Delivery Measurements
Work in Progress
Lead Time
Cycle Time
Queue Size
Batch Size
Process Efficiency
Lead Time
The amount of elapsed time from a story or chunk of work entering the backlog to the end of the iteration or the release. Lower lead time indicates a more effective process and a more productive project team.
Cycle Time
Indicates the amount of time it takes the project team to complete a task. Shorter times indicate a more productive project team. A consistent time helps predict the possible rate of work in the future.
Queue Size
Little’s Law states that queue size is proportional to both the rate of arrival in the queue and the rate of completion of items from the queue.
Batch Size
Measures the estimated amount of work (level of effort, story points, etc) that is expected to be completed in an iteration.
Process Efficiency
is a ratio used in lean systems to optimize the flow of work. Ratio between value-adding time and non-value-adding activities.
What adds to non-value-adding time?
Tasks that are waiting.
What is a representation of value-adding time?
Tasks that are in development or in verification.