Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!news.den.mmc.com!possum.den.mmc.com!kummer From: kummer@possum.den.mmc.com (Jim Kummer) Newsgroups: comp.software-eng Subject: Re: bridge building and discipline Message-ID: <1991May14.150350.2837@den.mmc.com> Date: 14 May 91 15:03:50 GMT References: <1991May9.053311.800@netcom.COM> <4563.282e83ea@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com> Sender: news@den.mmc.com (News) Distribution: na Organization: Martin Marietta Astronautics Group, Denver Lines: 24 Nntp-Posting-Host: looney >I think the desire for metrics is an admission by management types >that they really don't know what's going on in their projects. Good >managers are able to tell if the project goals are being met, who's >doing well and who's screwing up without any metrics. Metrics mania >indicates that someone doesn't understand software development and/or >they're desperate to figure out what's causing poor quality or project >failure. Metrics are not generally needed by the line supervisors and managers directly over a project. Rather, the metrics are needed by the managers' managers, and theirs above them, who admittedly do not know what's going on on the project. In an atmosphere of mutual trust and bilateral acceptance of responsibility, the need for metrics is lessened, but not removed. ---- Jim Kummer -------- kummer@pogo.den.mmc.com ----------- disclaimer: the above opinions are mine, and not necessarily those of anyone else. -- -- Regards ----- James Kummer --- Martin Marietta Corporation -- ----- kummer@pogo.den.mmc.com --- Information and Communication Systems --