Application of software measurement at Schlumberger RPS

At Schlumberger RPS, the application of the Goal/Question/Metric approach (GQM) and the Quality Improvement Paradigm (QIP) resulted in an enhanced ‘model-based GQM’. It customizes measurement to the organization and supports in the reuse of experience, by applying and maintaining reusable reference models. This ‘model-based GQM’ is a more formal method for the application of software measurement. It can be used to create a more complete and consistent definition of a measurement program, resulting in a highly effective and efficient approach for introducing software measurement. Model-based GQM is based on experiences in a measurement program where Schlumberger RPS obtained knowledge on their current processes by measuring: product reliability, costs of failure repair, costs and benefits of reusing software, the impact of interrupts, and fault detection efficiency using GQM methodology. Schlumberger RPS will continue applying and expanding QIP and ‘model-based GQM’ measurement in the organization, since it is convinced that continuous software process improvement is the only way to survive in a world where products have a growing dependence on increasingly complex software technology.