Data models for metrics-based project management systems

A metrics based project management system (MPMS) integrates software metrics data, management queries based on the software metrics data, as well as their responses in a single location. Given the variations in projects, queries, metrics and physical databases to be used, MPMSes should be flexible from a user point of view, and also generic from a designer point of view. Two important steps in the design of an MPMS involve the determination of typical queries that may be posed by users, as well as the selection of the physical database for storing metrics and other project related knowledge. The paper discusses the relative advantages and drawbacks of three selected physical database models, namely the relational data model, object oriented data model, and graph data model, based on a variety of classes of metrics based queries. We conclude that the choice of data model varies according to the class of queries, and has strong implications on the ease and efficiency with which metrics based queries may be posed and executed.