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

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.

External links

Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox. Usability Metrics -- http://www.useit.com/alertbox/20010121.html

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Metrics

See also

External links