In the SERC Design Metrics Project, we developed metrics that are available during architectural and detailed design that help software engineers identify error-prone modules in a software design. These metrics can be used to predict potential quality and complexity of the system being developed. Our study data of university and industry-based projects provided the opportunity to calculate metrics at different stages of design to gain a better understanding of design dynamics in software development.
Our approach integrated design construction and measurement. We developed a composite metric D(G) consisting of components related to data flow and interconnections among modules. We used the information present in design notations to establish metric thresholds to be used as indications of design stress points.
This project provides developers with an objective indication of potential project quality and complexity at all times during design. This approach helps managers and software developers determine the better design when alternative choices exist, as well as identify stress points which may lead to difficulty during coding and maintenance.