BEANY: an adventure in metrics

This project examined a number of metrics collection processes. As a result of observing limitations of paper-based metric collection approaches, BEANY was created as an Internet enabled, on-line, real-time metrics collection system. To prevent intrusion on users' working time the interface had to be both easy and quick to learn and use. The interactive portion of the BEANY system is presented at the top of the page and fits easily into one screen. Users would click a button to select the current task, and then click each time a phase was completed. The simplicity of this process, compared with form filling, made this method of collection less intrusive and more accurate. Text areas were included on the form to allow users to attach their own comments about each phase for each task. As well as providing an interface that is easy to learn and use, it was felt that the attractive design would encourage the user to try the system.