Store Data and Results
Manage and store measurement data, measurement
specifications, and analysis results.
Storing measurement-related information enables the timely and costeffective
future use of historical data and results. The information also is
needed to provide sufficient context for interpretation of the data,
measurement criteria, and analysis results.
Information stored typically includes:
- Measurement plans
- Specifications of measures
- Sets of data that have been collected
- Analysis reports and presentations
The stored information contains or references the information needed to
understand and interpret the measures and assess them for
reasonableness and applicability (e.g., measurement specifications
used on different projects when comparing across projects).
Data sets for derived measures typically 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, or report
prose). Interim analysis results need not be stored separately if they can be
efficiently reconstructed. Projects may choose to store project-specific data and results in a
project-specific repository. When data are shared more widely across
projects, the data may reside in the organization’s measurement
repository.
- Review the data to ensure their completeness, integrity, accuracy,
and currency.
- Make the stored contents available for use only by appropriate groups and personnel.
- Prevent the stored information from being used inappropriately.
Examples of ways to prevent inappropriate use of the data and related information
include controlling access to data and educating people on the appropriate use of
data. Examples of inappropriate use include:
- Disclosure of information that was 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 specific individuals