Establish Measurement Objectives

Measurement objectives document the purposes for which measurement and analysis are done, and specify the kinds of actions that may be taken based on the results of data analyses.

The sources for measurement objectives may be management, technical, project, product, or process implementation needs.

The measurement objectives may be constrained by existing processes, available resources, or other measurement considerations. Judgments may need to be made about whether the value of the results will be commensurate with the resources devoted to doing the work.

Modifications to identified information needs and objectives may, in turn, be indicated as a consequence of the process and results of measurement and analysis.

Sources of information needs and objectives may include:

• Project plans
• Monitoring of project performance
• Interviews with managers and others who have information needs
• Established management objectives
• Strategic plans
• Business plans
• Formal requirements or contractual obligations
• Recurring or other troublesome management or technical problems
• Experiences of other projects or organizational entities
• External industry benchmarks
• Process-improvement plans

• Document information needs and objectives. [PA154.IG101.SP101.SubP101] Information needs and objectives are documented to allow traceability to subsequent measurement and analysis activities.
• Prioritize information needs and objectives. It may be neither possible nor desirable to subject all initially identified information needs to measurement and analysis. Priorities may also need to be set within the limits of available resources.
• Document, review, and update measurement objectives. It is important to carefully consider the purposes and intended uses of measurement and analysis. [ The measurement objectives are documented, reviewed by management and other relevant stakeholders, and updated as necessary. Doing so enables traceability to subsequent measurement and analysis activities, and helps ensure that the analyses will properly address identified information needs and objectives. It is important that users of measurement and analysis results be involved in setting measurement objectives and deciding on plans of action. It may also be appropriate to involve those who provide the measurement data.
• Provide feedback for refining and clarifying information needs and objectives as necessary. Identified information needs and objectives may need to be refined and clarified as a result of setting measurement objectives. Initial descriptions of information needs may be unclear or ambiguous. Conflicts may arise between existing needs and objectives. Precise targets on an already existing measure may be unrealistic.
• Maintain traceability of the measurement objectives to the identified information needs and objectives. There must always be a good answer to the question, “Why are we measuring this?” Of course, the measurement objectives may also change to reflect evolving information needs and objectives.