Metrics
For other uses, see Metric.Metrics are a system of parameters or ways of quantitative and periodic assessment of a process that is to be measured, along with the procedures to carry out such measurement and the procedures for the interpretation of the assessment in the light of previous or comparable assessments. Metrics are usually specialized by the subject area, in which case they are valid only within a certain domain and cannot be directly
benchmarked or interpreted outside it.
The following elements must known for a metric to be fully defined.
| Element | Description | | Metric | Name of the metric |
| Metric Description | Description of what is measured |
| Measurement Procedure | How is the metric measured |
| Measurement Frequency | How often is the measurement taken |
| Thresholds Estimation | How are the thresholds calculated |
| Current Thresholds | Current range of values considered normal for the metric |
| Target Value | Best possible value of the metric |
| Units | Units of measurement |
Metrics are used in
business model,
CMMI,
ISM3 and
knowledge management. These measurements or metrics can be used to track
trends,
productivity, resources and much more. Typically, the metrics tracked are
key performance indicators.
Metrics are important in
IT Service Management including
ITIL. They are used to measure the effectiveness of the various processes at delivering Services to Customers. Until recently no agreed standard set of Best Practice metrics existed. Data from different organisations can be gathered together, against an agreed set of metrics, to form a
Benchmark. This allows organisations to evaluate their performance against industry sectors to establish, objectively, how well they are performing. Using Best Practice metrics enables industry wide
Benchmarks to be created.
Levels of measurement* Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox. Usability Metrics -- http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20010121.html
