Summary

Manage and store measurement data, measurement specifications, and analysis results.

Description

Storing measurement related information enables its timely and cost effective use as historical data and results. The information also is needed to provide sufficient context for interpretation of data, measurement criteria, and analysis results.

 

Information stored typically includes the following:
  • Data acceptance criteria for supplier data
  • Measurement plans
  • Specifications of measures
  • Sets of data that were collected
  • Analysis reports and presentations
  • Retention period for data stored


Stored information contains or refers to other information needed to understand and interpret the measures and to assess them for reasonableness and applicability (e.g., measurement specifications used on different projects when comparing across projects).

Typically, data sets for derived measures can be recalculated and need not be stored. However, it may be appropriate to store summaries based on derived measures (e.g., charts, tables of results, report text).

Interim analysis results need not be stored separately if they can be efficiently reconstructed.

Projects can choose to store project specific data and results in a project specific repository. When data are shared across projects, the data can reside in the organization’s measurement repository.

Refer to the Configuration Management (CM) (CMMI-ACQ) process area for more information about establishing a configuration management system.


Refer to the Establish the Organization’s Measurement Repository specific practice in the Organizational Process Definition (OPD) (CMMI-ACQ) process area for more information about establishing the organization’s measurement repository.


Example Work Products



  1. Stored data inventory


Subpractices



1. Review data to ensure their completeness, integrity, accuracy, and currency.

2. Store data according to data storage procedures.

3. Make stored contents available for use only to appropriate groups and staff members.

The acquirer protects measurement data provided by the supplier according to the supplier agreement. The supplier agreement might specify that the acquirer must restrict access to a supplier’s measurement data to acquirer staff only.



4. Prevent stored information from being used inappropriately.

 

Examples of ways to prevent the inappropriate use of data and related information include controlling access to data and educating people on the appropriate use of data.


 

Examples of the inappropriate use of data include the following:
  • Disclosure of information provided in confidence
  • Faulty interpretations based on incomplete, out-of-context, or otherwise misleading information
  • Measures used to improperly evaluate the performance of people or to rank projects
  • Impugning the integrity of individuals