Measurement-driven quality improvement in the MVS/ESA operating system

Achieving gains in software quality requires both the use of software metrics and the desire to make measurement-driven process improvements. This paper describes the experiences, changes, and kinds of metrics used to drive quantifiable results in a very large and complex software system. Developers on the IBM Multiple Virtual Storage (MVS) operating system track, respond and initiate better ways of controlling the software development process through the use of metric-based defect models, orthogonal defect classification (ODC), and object-oriented techniques. Constant attention to progress with respect to the measurements and working toward goals based on the metrics show that measurement-driven process improvement can lead to noticeably better products.<>