ISO/IEC/IEEE 15939:2017

INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC/
STANDARD IEEE
First edition
2017-05
Systems and software engineering —
Measurement process
Ingénierie des systèmes et du logiciel — Processus de mesure
Reference number
©
ISO/IEC 2017
©
IEEE 2017
© ISO/IEC 2017, Published in Switzerland
© IEEE 2017
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ii
Contents Page
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Conformance . 6
4.1 Intended usage . 6
4.2 Tailoring this document . 6
4.3 Full conformance to outcomes . 6
4.4 Full conformance to tasks . 7
4.5 Tailored conformance . 7
5 Application of this document . 7
6 Measurement Process . 10
6.1 Purpose . 10
6.2 Outcomes . 10
6.3 Activities and Tasks . 10
6.3.1 Establish and sustain measurement commitment. . 10
6.3.2 Prepare for measurement. . 11
6.3.3 Perform measurement. . 15
6.3.4 Evaluate measurement. . 17
Annex A (informative) The measurement information model . 19
A.1 General . 19
A.2 Model description . 20
A.2.1 Entity . 20
A.2.2 Attribute . 20
A.2.3 Base measure. 20
A.2.4 Derived measure . 21
A.2.5 Indicator . 21
A.2.6 Measurable concept . 22
A.3 Examples . 22
A.3.1 A productivity example . 22
A.3.2 A quality example . 23
A.3.3 A project progress example . 24
Annex B (informative) Measurement process information items and records . 26
Annex C (informative) Example criteria for selecting measures . 28
Annex D (informative) Example criteria for evaluating an information product . 30
D.1 General . 30
D.2 Use of information products . 30
D.3 Confidence in an information product . 30
D.4 Evidence of fitness for purpose of an information product . 30
D.5 Understandability of information products . 31
D.6 Satisfaction of the assumptions of an indicator model . 31
D.7 Accuracy of a measurement procedure . 31
D.8 Repeatability of a measurement method . 32
D.9 Reproducibility of a measurement method . 32
Annex E (informative) Example criteria for evaluating the performance of the measurement process . 33
E.1 General . 33
E.2 Timeliness . 33
E.3 Efficiency . 33
E.4 Defect containment . 33
E.5 Customer satisfaction . 33
E.6 Process compliance . 33
© ISO/IEC 2017 – All rights reserved iii
© IEEE 2017 – All rights reserved

Annex F (informative) Example elements of measurement planning . 34
Annex G (informative) Guidelines for reporting information items . 35

List of Figures
Figure 1 Measurement process model . 9
Figure A.1 — Key relationships in the measurement information model . 19
Figure A.2 — Measurement construct for “productivity” . 23
Figure A.3 — Measurement construct for “quality” . 24
Figure A.4 — Measurement construct for “progress” . 25
Figure B.1 — Information items and records of measurement activities . 27

iv © ISO/IEC 2017 – All rights reserved
© IEEE 2017 – All rights reserved

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of
ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees established
by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC technical
committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental and non‐
governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work. In the field of information technology, ISO
and IEC have established a joint technical committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1.
IEEE Standards documents are developed within the IEEE Societies and the Standards Coordinating Committees
of the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE‐SA) Standards Board. The IEEE develops its standards through a
consensus development process, approved by the American National Standards Institute, which brings together
volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve the final product. Volunteers are not
necessarily members of the Institute and serve without compensation. While the IEEE administers the process
and establishes rules to promote fairness in the consensus development process, the IEEE does not
independently evaluate, test, or verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in its standards.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
Attention is called to the possibility that implementation of this standard may require the use of subject matter
covered by patent rights. By publication of this standard, no position is taken with respect to the existence or
validity of any patent rights in connection therewith. ISO/IEC and IEEE are not responsible for identifying
essential patents or patent claims for which a license may be required, for conducting inquiries into the legal
validity or scope of patents or patent claims or determining whether any licensing terms or conditions provided
in connection with submission of a Letter of Assurance or a Patent Statement and Licensing Declaration Form, if
any, or in any licensing agreements are reasonable or non‐discriminatory. Users of this standard are expressly
advised that determination of the validity of any patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, is
entirely their own responsibility. Further information may be obtained from ISO or the IEEE Standards
Association.
ISO/IEC 15939 was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommittee SC 7, Systems and software engineering, in cooperation with the Software & Systems Engineering
Standards Committee of the IEEE Computer Society, under the Partner Standards Development Organization
cooperation agreement between ISO and IEEE.
This first edition cancels and replaces ISO/IEC 15939:2007, which has been revised to align with revisions of
ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015.
© ISO/IEC 2017 – All rights reserved v
© IEEE 2017 – All rights reserved

Introduction
Measurement supports the management and improvement of processes and products. Measurement is a
primary tool for managing system and software life cycle activities, assessing the feasibility of project plans, and
monitoring the adherence of project activities to those plans. System and software measurement is also a key
discipline in evaluating the quality of products and the capability of organizational processes. It is bec
...