Configuration Management Metrics

Configuration Management Metrics: Product Lifecycle and Engineering Documentation Control Process Measurement and Improvement provides a comprehensive discussion of measurements for configuration management/product lifecycle processes. Each chapter outlines one of the most important measures of merit – the need for written policy and procedures. The best of the best practices as to the optimum standards are listed with an opportunity for the reader to check off those that their company has and those they do not. The book first defines the concept of configuration management (CM) and explains its importance. It then discusses the important metrics in the major CM and related processes. These include: new item release; order entry/fulfillment; request for change; bill of material change cost; and field change. Ancillary processes which may or may not be thought of as part of these major processes are also addressed, including deviations, service parts, publications and field failure reporting. Provides detailed guidance on developing and implementing measurement systems and reports Demonstrates methods of graphing and charting data, with benchmarks A practical resource for the development of Engineering Documentation Control processes Includes basic principles of Product Lifecycle processes and their measurement

SCM practices are recognised as core functional areas in assisting a project team to identify, control, audit, and report on all configuration items of a project. Consequently they are then better able to control changes to the working environment. Moreira presents a totally unique book, offering a “how-to” guide for SCM implementation for commercial and technology fields. A thoroughly practical approach; this guide includes examples and instruction of SCM tasks. This book has an easy to follow set of tasks that can be customized to assist a SCM professional in implementing SCM in a more efficient and expedient manner while also imparting SCM knowledge. Provides a customisable step-by-step process in implementing SCM Discusses typical SCM activities at project level and includes source control, change control, problem management, etc. An accompanying website contains templates, procedures and other materials to aid understanding and encourage the practical applications of the material discussed throughout www.wiley.com/go/moreira_software/ Anyone who has to implement SCM in his/her company at every level will need this book and find its practical approach useful

The ability to organise and measure performance is a key part of the implementation of IT Service Management processes. This publication contains practical information on the provision of useful and meaningful metrics, as well as how best to use them within an organisation, including generic principles (such as SMART and KISS), specific examples and templates for the use of each metricAll metrics discussed are directly related to process objectives, in order to help create a service-focused management system. This publication complements the ITIL, CobiT and ISO20000 service management principles. “If you need to develop metrics for an IT environment, buy this book or hire a consultant who has read it” G. Kieliszek, Healthcare CIO (Amazon) "This is more than a book, it's a practical, useable "A to Z" of IT Service Management Metrics! Peter Brooks (Author) has given us all a crystal clear view of a neglected, blurred piece of the IT Service Management puzzle. As a Principal ITSM Consultant working for Foster-Melliar in South Africa I am continuously disappointed by the many ITSM books produced that generally regurgitate what is already known by many in the industry. Metrics for IT Service Organisations provides a vast array of possible audiences something that many ITSM volumes do not, and this is a Practical, useable view of "How" to plan for, design, manage and improve the critical measures IT Service organisations require from both a strategic, tactical and operational perspective. I don't carry many books around with me, this one, I most certainly will!!" Ian Clark Principal ITSM Consultant Foster-Melliar "With all the focus on IT Governance and IT Business process management. It is easy to see why metric are becoming hugely important for the management of organisations. In reality however, getting the right set of metrics in place is by no means a simple exercise. Metrics for IT service organisations can be a great help. Using ITIL as the basis the book lists many useful examples of metrics. But what is more important, is that it gives us insight into to creation of "good" metrics and the dangers of "bad" metrics. " Emma Speakman IT BPM consultant SA/NL/UK "Looking for a comprehensive, in-depth exploration and explanation of what metrics to use in your ITSM journey? Then 'Metrics for IT Service Organizations' by Peter Brooks may be exactly what you're looking for. This (new) book not only covers what metrics need to be seriously considered, but explains the 'why' and 'how' behind selecting and defining them, pointing out along the way many of the dangers and pitfalls of selecting the wrong ones; or too many. If you tend to agree that 'what gets measured gets done', then applying the ideas in Peter's book will assist you in getting the right things done." Ken Wendle (FISM) previous President of the itSMF USA, works as a Senior Solution Architect for Hewlett Packard's OpenView Software division Given that itSMF is the source, readers of this book will naturally expect a 'best practices' view on metrics, and a highly practical reference text. More particularly, though, the special merit of the text is its carefulness in stressing that metrics must be both useful and meaningful, and that the meaning comes from the business perspective on IT management processes - a perspective always represented by a stated business objective. By encouraging readers to seriously commit to defining clear business objectives, the text aims the reader at measurement that avoids excess or irrelevance. Malcolm Ryder (CA Architect)

An effective systems development and design process is far easier to explain than it is to implement. A framework is needed that organizes the life cycle activities that form the process. This framework is Configuration Management (CM). Software Configuration Management discusses the framework from a standards viewpoint, using the original

Harold Kerzner’s essential strategies on measuring project management performance With the growth of complex projects, stakeholder involvement, and advancements in visual-based technology, metrics and KPIs (key performance indicators) are key factors in evaluating project performance. Dashboard reporting systems provide accessible project performance data, and sharing this vital data in a concise and consistent manner is a key communication responsibility of all project managers. This third edition of Kerzner's groundbreaking work, Project Management Metrics, KPIs, and Dashboards: A Guide to Measuring and Monitoring Project Performance, helps functional managers gain a thorough grasp of what metrics and KPIs are and how to use them. Plus, this edition includes new sections on processing dashboard information, portfolio management PMO and metrics, and BI tool flexibility. • Offers comprehensive coverage of the different dashboard types, design issues, and applications Provides full-color dashboards from some of the most successful project management companies, including IBM, Microsoft, and others Aligns with PMI’s PMBOK® Guide and stresses value-driven project management PPT decks are available by chapter and a test bank will be available for use in seminar presentations and courses Get ready to bolster your awareness of what good metrics management really entails today—and be armed with the knowledge to measure performance more effectively.

Explains configuration management, an engineering discipline and process for maintaining the integrity of hardware, software, and firmware products as they evolve through the development and production stages, for implementers in both commercial and government environments. Outlines the four basic tasks: identification, change control, status accounting, and audits.

Authored by an internationally known expert in configuration management (CM) solutions, this unique new book examines CM from a "business value" perspective. The book provides a thorough overview of CM technology and reveals "best practice" techniques for selecting and deploying automated CM solutions. It also explores nine key challenges facing e-commerce and gives guidelines for avoiding common pitfalls that can quickly derail an e-business.

This comprehensive resource will help you automate and optimize all facets of service management with System Center 2012 Service Manager. Expert consultants offer deep “in the trenches” insights for improving problem resolution, change control, release management, asset lifecycle management, chargeback, and more. You’ll learn how to implement high-value best practices from ITIL and the Microsoft Operations Framework. The authors begin with an expert overview of Service Manager, its evolution, and its new capabilities. Next, they walk through overall planning, design, implementation, and upgrades. Then, to help you focus your efforts, they present stepwise coverage of all topics in each feature area, linking technical information about Service Manager with essential knowledge about the technologies it depends on. Whatever your role in deploying or running Service Manager, this guide will help you deliver more responsive support at lower cost and drive more value from all your IT investments. • Leverage MOF and ITIL processes built into System Center 2012 Service Manager • Plan and design your Service Manager deployment • Install Service Manager or upgrade from earlier versions • Efficiently administer work and configuration items • Use connectors to integrate with Active Directory, Exchange, and System Center components • Create service maps • Enable end user access through Service Manager’s self-service portal • Implement incident, problem, change, and release management • Utilize workflows to automate key support processes • Create service level agreements with calendars, metrics, and objectives • Provide quick access to a standardized catalog of services • Use notification to ensure that Service Manager items are promptly addressed • Secure Service Manager and its data warehouse/reporting platform • Perform maintenance, backup, and recovery • Manage Service Manager performance • Customize Service Manager

This is the digital version of the printed book (Copyright © 2003). To succeed in the software industry, managers need to cultivate a reliable development process. By measuring what teams have achieved on previous projects, managers can more accurately set goals, make bids, and ensure the successful completion of new projects. Acclaimed long-time collaborators Lawrence H. Putnam and Ware Myers present simple but powerful measurement techniques to help software managers allocate limited resources and track project progress. Drawing new findings from an extensive database of software project metrics, the authors demonstrate how readers can control projects with just Five Core Metrics –Time, Effort, Size, Reliability, and Process Productivity. With these metrics, managers can adjust ongoing projects to changing conditions–surprises that would otherwise cause project failure.

Features a useful collection of important and practical papers on applying software metrics and measurement. The book details the importance of planning a successful measurement program with a complete discussion of why, what, where, when, and how to measure and who should be involved. Each chapter addresses these significant questions and provides the essential answers in building an effective measurement program. The book differs from others on the market by focusing on the application of the metrics rather than the metrics themselves. The author's provide information based on actual experience with successful metrics programs. Each chapter includes a case study focusing on technology transfer and a set of recommended references. The book serves as a guide on the use and application of software metrics in industrial environments. It is specially designed for managers, product supervisors, and quality assurance personnel who want to know how to implement a metrics program.

Configuration Management for Senior Managers is written to help managers in product manufacturing and engineering environments identify the ways in which they can streamline their products and processes through proactive documentation control and product lifecycle management. Experienced consultant Frank Watts gives a practitioner’s view tailored to the needs of management, without the textbook theory that can be hard to translate into real-world change. Unlike competing books that focus on CM within software and IT environments, this engineering-focused resource is packed with examples and lessons learned from leading product development and manufacturing companies, making it easy to apply the approach to your business. Developed to help you identify key policies and practices needing attention in your organization to establish and maintain consistency of processes and products, and to reduce operational costs Focused on configuration management (CM) within manufacturing and engineering settings, with relevant examples from leading companies Written by an experienced consultant and practitioner with the knowledge to provide real-world insights and solutions, not just textbook theory

Gain an in-depth understanding of software testing management and process issues that are critical for delivering high-quality software on time and within budget. Written by leading experts in the field, this book offers those involved in building and maintaining complex, mission-critical software systems a flexible, risk-based process to improve their software testing capabilities. Whether your organization currently has a well-defined testing process or almost no process, Systematic Software Testing provides unique insights into better ways to test your software.This book describes how to use a preventive method of testing, which parallels the software development lifecycle, and explains how to create and subsequently use test plans, test design, and test metrics. Detailed instructions are presented to help you decide what to test, how to prioritize tests, and when testing is complete. Learn how to conduct risk analysis and measure test effectiveness to maximize the efficiency of your testing efforts. Because organizational structure, the right people, and management are keys to better software testing, Systematic Software Testing explains these issues with the insight of the authorsOCO more than 25 years of experience."

Finding ways to improve margins can be the difference between organizations that thrive and those that simply survive during times of economic uncertainty. Describing why cost reductions can be just as powerful as increases in revenue, Total Quality Management for Project Management explains how to integrate time-tested project management tools with the power of Total Quality Management (TQM) to achieve significant cost reductions. Detailing the ins and outs of applying project management methods to TQM activities, the book provides the understanding you’ll need to enhance the effectiveness of your TQM work. To clear up any confusion about what a true quality improvement is, it includes sections that cover the fundamentals of total quality management and defines the terms used throughout the text. The book examines profitability as it relates to product cost—including the initial work determining investment paybacks. It compares TQM/PM versus Six Sigma and illustrates the use of scrum in the context of TQM for improving quality initiatives. Complete with real-world success stories that facilitate comprehension, it illustrates methods that can help to minimize distractions and keep your team focused. The authors consider the full range of quality improvement tools as applied within the framework of project management. For the section of the book on the application of TQM to scrum, they demonstrate how these analytical methods can be used on the data produced within a scrum project and made into actionable information. Filled with innovative methods for improving costs, the text arms you with the tools to determine the approaches best suited to your corporate culture and capabilities.

For trainers free additional material of this book is available. This can be found under the "Training Material" tab. Log in with your trainer account to access the material.In the world of international IT Service Management the previous editions of this book have acquired an excellent reputation as guidance on the topic of ITIL. Over the years this authoritative guide has earned its place on the bookshelves and in the briefcases of industry experts as they implement best practices within their organizations.This revised edition is based on ITIL 2011 Edition. It is written in the same concise way as the previous editions and covering all the facts. Readers will find that this title succinctly covers the key aspects of ITIL 2011 Edition. It is endorsed by AXELOS, the official ITIL Accreditor.The ITIL Lifecycle is fully covered. In addition there is much attention to the 26 IT Service Management processes and 4 Functions. These are described in detail. This means that it is easy for all readers to access and grasp the concepts of processes and functions that are so pivotal to many service management day-to-day operations.This title covers the following: Introduction to the Service Lifecycle Lifecycle phase: Service Strategy Lifecycle phase: Service Design Lifecycle phase: Service Transition Lifecycle phase: Service Operation Lifecycle phase: Continual Service ImprovementNew, compared with the previous edition on ITIL V3, are the processes for Strategy Management and Business Relationship Management. Also the other new and revised concepts of ITIL are covered in this book. Well written and presented, this publication provides a useful addition to the core ITIL publications for anyone wanting to understand IT service management. Kevin Holland, Service Management Specialist, NHS Pierre has produced an extremely useful summary of the current version of ITIL. This will be an invaluable day to day reference for all practitioners. Claire Agutter, ITIL Training Zone

Control of engineering documentation, sometimes called Configuration Management (CM) especially in the defense industries, remains critical to world-class manufacturing survival. The 3rd edition of this popular engineering documentation handbook improves upon one of the best blueprints for efficient EDC/CM ever published, and continues to provide a significant company strategy for managers, project leaders, chief engineers and others. It can be used in many industries to improve the control of engineering documentation. Use the Engineering Documentation Control Handbook to get on track right away and make the release of new products and their documentation flow smoothly and easily. The book is packed with specific methods that can be applied quickly and accurately to almost any industry and any product to control documentation, request changes to the product, make those changes and develop bills of material. The result is a powerful communications bridge between engineering and "the rest of the world" that makes rapid changes in products and documentation possible. With the help of the simple techniques in the handbook, companies can gain and hold their competitive advantages in a world that demands flexibility and quick reflexes -- and has no sympathy for delays. The new edition takes the improvements of the second to a whole new level, with more chapters and even more additions. As always, the thrust of the book retains a focus on basics, rules and reasons. The author emphasizes that EDC or CM must be recognized as a key business strategy, and the days of "throwing it over the wall" are gone forever.

This third book in the new Trends in Software series presents the state of the art in SCM. It features coverage of industrial SCM tools, specific integrated SCM systems such as DSEE, ODIN, SHAPE, ADELE, and PCTE, and novel SCM algorithms and techniques such as remote installation tools, delta storage, and transaction mechanisms.

Configuration management (CM) is frequently misunderstood. This discipline is growing in popularity because it allows project participants to better identify potential problems, manage change, and efficiently track the progress of a software project. This book gives the reader a practical understanding of the complexity and comprehensiveness of the discipline.