Extending the ami approach to encompass the Foundation activity

The ami approach is a common sense framework for applying metrics to software development projects. This paper proposes an extension to the ami approach, based on industrial experience within a large telecommunications supplier, which encompasses the very early stages of a measurement programme. Formalising the initial stages of a measurement programme helps reduce the risk of missing fundamental issues that effect the overall programme, and reduces the likelihood of project failure. Formalisation is achieved through completing the three distinct steps of the Foundation activity; Construct Programme Terms Of Reference, Produce Project Plan, and Conduct Project Launch. To aid in completing these three steps a Foundation Checklist was development, based on Pulford's five pre-requisites (1996) and the work conducted within telecommunications supplier.