Redirect Virus - What Is It All About?

What Is Browser Redirect Virus?

The browser redirect virus is one of the most common viruses found online. This little virus has affected millions of computers in the world; in fact the number of the affected computers keeps increasing daily. This browser redirect virus simply redirects your search results in Bing, Yahoo or Google. You should detach it from the browser because the virus is capable of infecting your computer with dangerous codes. Your computer will seldom remain the same when being affected by this virus.

The browser redirect virus is specifically made for the purpose of undertaking one simple task; redirecting your search results while at the same time exposing you to other damaging viruses that will harm your computer. Some antivirus programs are not fit to remove this virus completely, thus the safest thing to do is to make sure that you use software that is perfectly designed to search and remove it. You can easily remove the virus by following a tutorial that deals with the redirect type malware. You can be infected with this virus very easily. Once the rootkits or a virus is downloaded, it will not be possible to halt the spread of the virus.

Technicians and computer experts are making solid efforts in seeing that the virus is completely eliminated.

If you find that your internet searches are not working properly you probably have a redirecting virus. No worries, you can remove it yourself for free or simply download "TDSSKIller" this is a free program that helps to find the Google Redirect Virus.

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Three Hazards of Ignoring Your Browser Redirecting Virus

I mean the times where you either can't afford to get an expensive job done or just don't have the time to even deal with the problem. Delay of Progress

I'm sure that you originally bought your computer to have the internet at your fingertips. The browser redirecting virus is a huge nuisance for anyone moving forward that needs to search for information in order to do it.

Destroyed Software

This computer virus stems from a gateway malware that allows other malicious files to infiltrate your computer system. Several of these malicious files are embedded into the code of software programs already on your computer. In most cases, it replaces or destroys the code that makes the program functional. This renders the program virtually useless afterward. But, this virus very rarely destroys the software completely. Identity Theft

One of the most life shattering repercussions of ignoring your browser redirecting virus is identity theft. The worst part about these browser hijackers are that they are designed with the intent of ruining your computer. One of the increasing focuses in the design of these now a days is to extract information from your computer. Now, what's a guy to do now that he has your first and last name, address, phone number, passwords, social security number, and a host of other information? Computers have become almost as important as cars and clothes these days. To get your browser redirecing virus resolved quick with 24/7 tech support and 100% refund guarantee or just for more information check out www.SearchRedirectingVirus.info. Thanks for reading.

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Ten Worst Viruses Witnessed in History

History has a record of the 10 worst computer viruses that did not just beat the best anti-virus software, but gave nightmares to many security experts as well.

· The Morris worm

This was created back in 1998 and was named after a university student, Robert Morris, the same student who created the worm. This worm infected 10 percent of all the computers that were linked to the internet and there were about 60,000 computers connected to the internet at that time. The worm brought all the systems to halt.

· The Concept virus

Within a few days, this virus became the most disseminated virus ever.

· CIH

· Anna Kournikova worm

It infected Windows computers with an email worm. · ILOVEYOU

· The Melissa virus

Melissa is recognized as a fast-spreading macro virus which was circulated through an e-mail attachment. This virus was created by David L. Smith and was a successful email-ware.

· The Blaster Worm

Blaster worm was created in 2003 as a denial of service attack against the Microsoft's website. The author of this particular worm was never discovered.

Netsky and Sasser worms were discovered by Sven Jaschan, a German teenager. · OSX/RSPlug Trojan

· Storm worm

The Storm worm was originally perplexed as a bad weather breaking news affecting Europe. Actually, this virus was in the news in 2007 and influenced millions of PCs. Hackers circulated spam and stole millions of identities.

Author is a computer professional and blog writer who basically writes on various computer security topics. He brings many interesting reviews about the latest anti-virus software and inform readers about the best free antivirus download for their computer protection.

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Risks of the Redirect Virus

The Risks of the Google Redirect Virus

If you really want to enjoy a stress-free internet browsing experience, you have to avoid contracting the redirect virus. One of the possible viruses you can pick up online is Google Redirect Virus. You don't need to worry when your system is attacked by the virus. All you need is to engage in a special Redirect Virus removal process that will work.

Google Redirect can attack your system's browser. The virus can also destroy your internet settings and frustrate your online financial dealings.

It can attack Google and other search engines you use on regular basis. Once it attacks any search engine, it will continue to present fake search engine web page each time you want to conduct a search. You'll still get the usual search engine results. The virus will simply re-direct you to malicious websites that will further destroy your system.

The Redirect virus can change the DNS settings of your system. It can corrupt your system's registry files and other vital documents.

The virus can block the normal anti-virus program you're using in your computer. The virus can spread to every part of your system with ease. Having seen the above dangerous effects, you can start thinking of engaging in a Redirect Virus removal process. All you need is to follow an automatic method of removing the virus. You have to search for a good spyware remover online. You'll then scan your system thoroughly with it. Thank you for reading about the risks of the Redirect Virus our site offers totally free help with the Google Redirect Virus and other forms of computer repair. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerard_Macdonald

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How To Protect Against a Computer Virus

If it is the latter, there are virus removal methods to consider before the damage becomes irreversible.

What is a Virus? 
A virus is a software program that reproduces and causes tremendous harm to a computer's files or programs. The harm could result in extensive damage to the hard drive, which could cost hundreds to replace. Therefore, taking proper virus removal steps is something computer owner should consider.

What are some signs of a computer viral infection?

• The computer runs much slower than usual. 
• You get a barrage of pop-up ads, or programs constant restart randomly. 
• The computer crashes or freezes for no apparent reason. Get an Antivirus Program 
The first step in defending your computer is downloading a good antivirus program. Some programs offer a free trial, then a paid subscription when the trial expires. However, if you just need basic protection, free software exists, and monitors for potential threats. Run a Security Scan Periodically 
While antivirus software checks for possible threats, scan the hard drive on a regular basis, usually about once a week. Do Not Open Unfamiliar Emails 
Many harmful viruses come attached to emails. If you do not recognize the sender's name, proceed with caution. If you would like more information about virus removal, visit http://geeksonsite.com/.

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A Simple Approach to Removing Redirect Viruses

Google Redirect Virus can corrupt your system if you're not well informed about its existence. It corrupts Google and other search engines. It also destroys browsers. 1. Use a quality Spyware Remover Software

This is the best simple method you can use when thinking of removing Google Redirect Virus. You can easily order the software and have it downloaded. During the scanning process, Google Redirect Virus and other threats will be detected and wiped off. 2. Re-install Windows

If you're not able to use a Spyware Remover in dealing with the virus, you can as well re-install your Windows operating system. You can run a complete Windows installation by reformatting your hard drive. At the end of the Windows installation process, you have to re-install other programs as well. This process can take some hours but it actually removes Google Redirect virus completely from your system.

3. Take Your system to a Computer Technician

You can also deal with Google Redirect Virus by taking your computer to a reliable technician. In most cases, the expert will use manual method in dealing with the virus. He may also use a reliable Spyware Remover to deal with the virus.

With these ideas discussed above, you'll always remove Google Redirect Virus from your system. You need to start trying the tips if your computer is already infected with the virus.

The above article outlines some ways of removing the redirect virus quickly. Our site has free tips and tricks for speeding up your computer and fixing browser redirect issues.

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Protecting Yourself Against Online Identity Thieves

Identity thieves, send out thousands of fake emails daily, claiming that they are representing certain official entities. So take care if you receive emails saying they are from some government agency or department, as it may be that these emails are part of phishing schemes. Here you are then prompted to submit some confidential information. You should be aware that companies rarely communicate via email if it is in relation with sensitive account information. 2) If you receive a suspicious mail, don't fill out any forms requesting sensitive personal information. Verify whether the email is legitimate or not. Nowadays, most agencies or companies are listed on the web. Their contact information readily is available. 3) Don't click on or save attachments that come with suspicious emails. 4) Update regularly. Windows posts updates almost daily, especially security patches. 5) Even though you should never take action on suspicious sites or emails, be sure to watch out that the address bar starts with "HTTPS". Unfortunately no anti - virus software can protect you against phishing schemes.

In conclusion, if you keep these tips in mind when receiving strange suspicious emails you should be fine. And remember to always be wary of phishing schemes.

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Is BYOD a Compelling Reason to Use Windows 8?

Michael Dell, the founder of Dell computers, believes that Windows 8 could very well be the answer for the trend concerning BYOD (bring your own device). Making the announcement to customers and partners at the annual Dell World Expo, Michael Dell put his solid support behind the future of Windows 8, especially for powering touchscreen devices including laptops.

The Usefulness of Windows 8

Even though Windows 8 has only been out a short while, there are already specific questions that have arisen about its usefulness and necessity, especially from users that still enjoy Windows XP or Windows 7. Many research firms have quickly noted the lack of support for Windows 8, with sales not as high as predicted or hoped for.

Michael Dell's internal polling from his own customer base shows that consumers have a high interest in Windows 8. It is his belief that there is an immediate need from companies to acquire the new Windows 8 because of the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) world. Unlike Michael Dell's eagerness about Windows 8, any conclusions on its future, especially from the corporate world, are hard to determine yet. Businesses hope that their workforce will be satisfied using BYOD devices that look more like a consumer device but are designed for the business world.

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Software Development Metrics Essentials

It is impossible to imagine the community without computers and different kinds of programs that are meant to accomplish our life and make it more interesting. Database integration is a time-taking procedure that results in the release of a new software item and contains several stages, such as research, prototyping, growth, modification, improving etc. The primary objective here is to create a reliable and excellent program that will meet the needs and objectives of a certain type of users. That is why there is an increased need for high control of the top excellent.

Unfortunately, the program industry cannot ensure adequate statistic methods these days. Plenty of software designers agree on the factor that they just do not understand what factors have to be analyzed. More often, they evaluate the wrong issues, which does not allow illustrating proper and appropriate results. Consequently, release of software growth analytics is the number one objective for plenty of businesses today.

The reality is that any software measurement is associated with uncertain evaluation rules and can have several explanations at once. This effects the statistic procedure and leads to inadequate amount of data relevant to software expenses, excellent, employees attempt and plenty of other issues that issue in this company. Are there any chances to get over these issues successfully? Fortunately, there are. You just have to know what factors have to be calculated and what analytics can give rise to this procedure. With regard to this, it is practical to indicate that different analytics are used to evaluate the very procedure of software management, the potential clients and, of course, the employees. Hence, there are signs that have to be monitored just because they seem to be important for this company. There are also those that can give the supervisors of your company a further understanding into the employees performance. Other analytics can tell a lot about the program excellent and current issues associated with a new item.

All analytics that are used for calculating the procedure of software growth can be divided into 4 groups. Thus, web program examining is showed by such signs as stress examining, structure viewpoint, load examining and excellent viewpoint. These analytics have to be examined continually, because they are associated with performance monitoring, which is a valuable part of the program growth procedure.

Functional examining of software programs are the next aspect that requires evaluation. It is generally used to reveal primary insects of a new software item or system. Key performance signs here can be monitored from the perspective of 4 viewpoints, including examining as well as, resource allowance and excellent guarantee, learning and examining skills, methods of examining.

The next type of analytics that require statistic is associated with software development and development, which includes a few technical factors that affect the excellent of the ultimate item. Basic KPIs that issue in this team are relevant to performance viewpoint, the procedure of assessing the procedure of software development, development evaluation and evaluation of development result.

The last type of analytics, which consist of the "Software design" team, contains several elements that are important when it comes to the evaluation of style styles and modelling different languages. This is done by means of applying such signs as excellent, sensible size, exemption managing as well as style attempt.

To learn more about software growth analytics please stop by our website where there are plenty of BSC and analytics relevant items. Trial editions of applications and non software items are available.

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How to Choose Balanced Scorecard Software?

The Healthy Scorecard system is certainly one of the most highly effective and efficient resources a company may implement to evaluate its performance and other relevant problems. That is why there is a need to pay special interest to the choice of the most appropriate and cost-effective system that will help company supervisors get the most out of the assessment procedure. Meanwhile, the option of this smooth may confirm to be a real process mainly because it is quite easy to be confused by all those technical aspects and system features that are provided by several online providers these days.

What aspects should be regarded when choosing the smooth then? Which of them is the best one? Actually, it is difficult to response the latter query right from the start just because there are different kinds of these applications available these days. Thus, you can select between several applications, pc and web based choices etc. One thing is unquestionable here: you will not handle to observe the performance of your company successfully without a truly effective and extensive Healthy Scorecard system. So, it is practical to point out a few problems you should consider before you make your decision.

One of the most important features the Healthy Scorecard system should offer is performance. Though there are plenty of such applications these days, not all of them are worth your interest just because they are not efficient enough to fulfill your statistic specifications and needs. With respect to this, it is cost-effective to look through a number of beneficial system opinions in order to learn more about the most well-known applications as well as their benefits and drawbacks. Of course, it is not possible to recognize all the features, features and features without examining the system itself. That is why it is suggested to get the test edition of that system, the information of which attracts you most of all. When assessing different system kinds, you should also take into account the expertise and reputation of your company, its existing needs, obvious problems, employees problems and plenty of other aspects that are immediate for your company at the moment.

Another function efficient Healthy Scorecard system should have is versatility. What this means is the likelihood of the smooth to use customized information, techniques of statistic, company objectives etc. This is actually a must for any system because you should be able to make assessment techniques with respect to the existing circumstances, which, however, may change throughout the statistic procedure. So, it is essential to have a probability to evaluation these aspects and customize them according to your needs.

As far as control of technique growth is one of the significant BSC objectives, it is best to make technique charts that will help you imagine both the statistic procedure and its prospective results. Reliable Healthy Scorecard system will help you finish this process successfully so that you could be able to get a truth of what is going on in your company. Hopefully, these suggestions will help you select balanced scorecard smooth you will be satisfied with.

Grab a few guidelines on how to select balanced scorecard smooth that truly matches your needs. Obtain your test app now to see the power of BSC alternatives.

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How Software License Agreement Works

System allows are legal contracts which are involved with the use or distribution pc applications. Apart from application components that are in the public sector all other application are signature properly secured. The objective of a certification is to protected application from illegal selling, duplication or distribution by undesirable individuals.

Another element in which allows protection is through the development of a private contract. In this kind of situation, the certification gives permission to the end-user of the applying to use the particular application in one or more ways which would have been otherwise regarded an violation on the copyrights provided to the owner of that particular application under the copyrights law.

A certification has both a certification and the expiry. These are two very different aspects. A certification contract may run from one to five years which begins from the bill tax period of your energy and energy and effort but the expiry may be beyond this period of your energy and energy and effort as it is based on when the particular application was set up. Whenever applications are about to arrive at its expiry period of your energy and energy and effort this method will give a observe that one needs to renew the applying through feedback of a new successive number which is obtained when one buys the renewed certification contract.

To protected application one must understand various aspects of how allows work, which include aspects such as;

How to know when software applications are expected to expire

- Anyone using a particular application should be aware of the expiry period of your energy and energy and effort. This is done by watching the certification information of the applying. Information will tell one when the period of your energy and energy and effort it will end or lose either partially or the finish capability to execute its features.

Consequences of expiration

- When it comes to application allows and how to protected application one must also view the results or effects that result from certification expiry. Consistently, before application ends, it will show some kind of caution idea 90 periods prior to its expiry period of your energy and energy and effort. When one identifies this idea, he or she should make the appropriate arrangements so as to be able continue with the use of that particular application. If the 90 periods finish and still the person using the applying has not made the appropriate arrangements, they will be given some kind of elegance interval which is relatively a few months, after which, failing to renew the applying certification, the applying will stop to operate.

Transfer of license

- Organizations have information of their allows kept in a information source pc information file so when shifting the applying certification from one pc to another one just goes the information source pc information file to that particular pc and the permit information together with the ghd successive figures will also move to the second pc.

Software allows and other application protection alternatives are to make sure copyrights are properly secured against any infringements on copyrights through either the illegal sales, duplication or the undesirable distribution. These assures that income and ip rights are provided to the owner.

Software certification contract would be the first part protection for application developers to protected application from being thieved. Most of the applying developers would choose to discover other application protection alternatives to enhance and improved their application protection.

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Redirect Virus - Quick Removal

How to Remove Google Redirect Virus Quickly

Is your system attacked by a malicious virus? If it's Google Redirect Virus, you can't remove it with ordinary anti-virus software. In most cases, the virus hides from all kinds of antivirus software programs. It also prevents you from accessing antivirus websites. It can corrupt your web browser, search engines and web settings. It can also destroy your system's registry, files and documents. If you don't take proper precaution, your computer can crash in the process. It's important you discover a unique Redirect Virus Removal method that can help you deal with the virus. You need to be well informed about the operational tactics of the virus. Basically, the virus redirects your queries to malicious websites once your system is infected. It corrupts your web browser and search engines. It attacks Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines. The virus is capable of corrupting your system's registry and files. It can as well crash your system.

Google Redirect virus spreads like wild fire. You can engage an automatic Redirect Virus Removal method to deal with the virus. This is all about locating good antispyware software. You may need to spend a little cash to purchase the best antispyware software. In most cases, Google Redirect Virus and other viruses will be detected during the scanning process. After the virus removal process, you have to restart your system to allow the changes take effect.

With the above tips, you can always deal with Google redirect virus. You may have to take your system to a reliable computer repairer if you can't handle the Google Redirect Virus by yourself.

You may have experienced a browser redirect. We offer free help and support for issues related to a browser redirect and other forms of malware. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerard_Macdonald

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Ways to Avoid the Redirect Virus

Easy Ways of Avoiding Redirect Virus

If you're a daily internet user, you have to learn how to prevent viruses from attacking your system. The internet is replete with thousands of viruses. You system can be infected at any time. Google Redirect Virus is one of such viruses that can attack your system through the internet. It may corrupt your browser and internet settings. Your system's registry, files, and documents can also be attacked. Many of them are loaded with Google Redirect virus and other kinds of viruses. Once you visit them, your system can be attacked.

You need to avoid downloading all manner of free software programs. The internet is replete with thousands of free software programs. Hackers distribute Google Redirect Virus and other viruses through such free programs. However, there are still genuine free programs you'll see online. You need to verify the source of any free software before you download it. You can also install a spyware detector before downloading free software. The spyware detector will always detect dangerous software programs once they come up.

You also need to avoid downloading all kinds of free music and video files. Many of them are loaded with Google Redirect virus and other viruses. Almost all of them come with dangerous web links that contain Google Redirect virus and other malware programs. Once you click such links, your system can be infected.

If you're able to employ the tips discussed above, your system will always be free from Google Redirect Virus. All you need is to locate a reliable virus removal method that can deal with the virus. I hope you enjoyed this article dealing with redirecting viruses. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gerard_Macdonald

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Application Monitoring Software - Essential for Critical and Sensitive Data Applications

To say application monitoring software is necessary for online business success would be an understatement. The fact is, monitoring tools are absolutely indispensable.

Monitoring tools track the health and performance of business applications, and identify and fix key issues before they cause problems.

When networks and applications fail, it is a disaster. Staff and customers cannot communicate with each other, or access business critical services. To prevent a catastrophe you need network monitoring software that reduces network outages, and allows businesses to operate effortlessly and smoothly through proactive infrastructure intelligence.

The critical network elements that need monitoring are:

Email Servers

Many businesses rely on an internal email server that distributes emails to all LAN users. WAN links

Networking the wide area has offered unique opportunity to businesses to deliver value both in terms of operational efficiency and business alignment. Business applications

Small businesses run several mission critical applications, websites and databases that need strong monitoring. Applications must be monitored for availability and response times and URLs for availability.

The present market has both free as well as paid monitoring tools. VMware monitoring tools offer virtual infrastructure analysis and 24 x 7 real time monitoring.

However, any application monitoring software must offer a high degree of customization to suit every business needs.

Please visit the specified link to know more about VMware monitoring tools.

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Software Quality Assurance

Formal Technical Reviews

A formal technical review (FTR) is a software quality assurance activity

performed by software engineers with the following objectives:

- to uncover errors in function, logic or implementation of the software ;

- to verify that the software meets its requirements ;

- to esnure that the software has been developed according to the standards ;

- to achieve uniform software ;

- to make projects manageable.

The formal technical review serves to promote backup and continuity

because a number of people become familiar with parts of the software

that they may not have otherwise seen.

Each FTR is conducted as a meeting and is considered successful only

if it is properly planned, controlled and attended

Software Reviews

Software Reviews

Software reviews are a filter to the software engineering process.

Reviews are applied at various points during software development

and serve to uncover defects that can be removed.

A software review is a way of using a group of people to:

- point out needed improvements in the product of a single person or team

- confirm those parts of the product in which improvement is not desired

- achieve technical work of more uniform quality than can be achieved

   without reviews, in order to make technical work more manageable

There are many different types of reviews:

- informal meetings

- formal presentation of software

- walkthroughs

The obvious benefit from formal technical reviews, walkthroughs,

is the early discovery of software defects so that each defect may be

corrected prior to the next step in the software engineering process.

A defect amplification model can be used to illustrate the generation

and detection of errors during the steps in the software engineering process

The Software Quality System

1.3 The Software Quality System

The quality factors are developed in a system called a quality system,

or quality management system.

The software quality system consists of the managerial structure,

responsibilities, activities, capabilities and resources to ensure that

the developed software products have the desired quality.

The quality management system encompasses the following activities:

- reviews of the projects’ qualities

- career development of staff

- development of standards and procedures

The concrete details of the quality management system will be contained

in a quality manual. A quality manual will contain standards, procedures

and guidelines and will be influenced by external standards.

- a standard is instruction of how a project document or program code

   is to be displayed ;

- a procedure is a step-by-step set of instructions describing how

   a particular software activity is to be carried out ;

- a guideline - consists of advice on best practice.

Metrics for Grading the Software Quality factors

1.2 Metrics for Grading the Software Quality factors

- auditability - the ease with which conformance to standards can be checked

- accuracy - the precision of computations and control

- communication commonality - the degree to which standard interfaces are used

- completeness - the degree to which the implementation has been achieved

- conciseness - the compactness of the program in terms of lines of code

- consistency - the use of uniform design and documentation techniques

- data commonality - the use of standard data structures and types

- error tolerance - the damage that occurs when the program encounters an error

- execution efficiency - the run-time performance of the program 

- expandability - the degree to which the design can be extended

- generality - the breadth of potential application of program components

- hardware independence - the degree of decoupling from the hardware

- modularity - the functional independence of program components

- operability - the ease of operation with the system

- security - existence of mechanisms that protect the data and the program

- simplicity - the degree of understandability of the program without difficulty

- traceability - the ability to trace a component back to the requirements

Software Quality Assurance

1.1 Software Quality factors

Operational characteristics:

- correctness - does it do what I want?

- reliability - does it do it accurately?

- efficiency - will it run efficiently on my hardware?

- integrity - is it secure?

- usability - is it designed for the user?

Product revision:

- maintainability - can I fix it?

- flexibility - can I change it?

- testability - can I test it?

Product transition:

- portability - will I be able to use it on another machine?

- reusability - will I be able to reuse some of the software?

- interoperability - will I be able to interface it with another system?

Software Quality Assurance

1. Software Quality

1.1. Definition

Software quality is called the conformance to explicitly stated functional

and performance requirements, documented development standards,

and implicit characteristics.

Important points:

- software requirements are the foundation from which quality is measured ;

- specified standards define development criteria that guide the manner

   in which the software is engineered ;

- if the software meets only the explicit requirements, and does not meet

   the implicit requirements, the software quality is suspect

Software Engineering

The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) is a federally funded research and development center, operated by CarnegieMellon University under contract with the United States Department of Defense.
 The SEI Education Program is developing a wide range of materials to support software engineering education. A curriculum module identifies and outlines the content of a specific topic area, and is intended to be used by an instructor in designing a course. A support materials package includes materials helpful in teaching a course. Other materials under development include textbooks and educational software tools.
 SEI educational materials are being made available to educators throughout the academic, industrial, and government communities. The use of these materials in a course does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the course by the SEI, by Carnegie Mellon University, or by the United States government.
 SEI curriculum modules may be copied or incorporated into other materials, but not for profit, provided that appropriate credit is given to the SEI and to the original author of the materials.
 Requests for additional information should be addressed to the Director of Education, Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213.
 Comments on SEI materials are solicited, and may be sent to the Director of Education, or to the module author.

 PPT] Software Metrics download

The People Side of the Metrics Equation

No discussion on selecting, designing and implementing software metrics would be complete without a look at how measurements affect people and people affect measurements. Whether a metric is ultimately useful to an organization depends upon the attitudes of the people involved in collecting the data, calculating, reporting, and using the metric.  The simple act of measuring will affect the behavior of the individuals being measured. When something is being measured, it is automatically assumed to have importance.  People want to look good; therefore, they want the measures to look good. When creating a metric, always decide what behaviors you want to encourage. Then take a long look at what other behaviors might result from the use or misuse of the metric. The best way I have found to avoid human factors problems in working with metrics is to follow some basic rules:

Don't measure individuals: The state-of-the-art in software metrics is just not up to this yet. Individual productivity measures are the classic example of this mistake. Remember that we often give our best people the hardest work and then expect them to mentor others in the group. If we measure productivity in lines of code per hour, these people may concentrate on their own work to the detriment of the team and the project. Even worse, they may come up with unique ways of programming the same function in many extra lines of code. Focus on processes and products, not people.

Never use metrics as a "stick": The first time we use a metric against an individual or a group is the last time we get valid data.

Don't ignore the data: A sure way to kill a metrics program is to ignore the data when making decisions. "Support your people when their reports are backed by data useful to the organization" [Grady-92].  If the goals we establish and communicate don't agree with our actions, then the people in our organization will perform based on our behavior, not our goals.

Never use only one metric: Software is complex and multifaceted. A metrics program must reflect that complexity.  A balance must be maintained between cost, quality and schedule attributes to meet all of the customer's needs. Focusing on any one single metric can cause the attribute being measured to improve at the expense of other attributes.

Target Goals

Basili and Rombach [Basili-88] define a Goal/Question/Metric paradigm that provides an excellent mechanism for defining a goal-based measurement program.  Figure 3 illustrates the Goal/Question/Metric paradigm.

The second step in setting up a metrics program is to select one or more measurable goals. The goals we select to use in the Goal/Question/Metric will vary depending on the level we are considering for our metrics. At the organizational

level, we typically examine high-level strategic goals like being the low cost provider, maintaining a high level of

customer satisfaction, or meeting projected revenue or profit margin target.  At the project level, we typically look at goals that emphasize project management and control issues or project level requirements and objectives.  These goals typically reflect the project success factors like on time delivery, finishing the project within budget or delivering software with the required level of quality or performance. At the specific task level, we consider goals that emphasize task success factors.  Many times these are expressed in terms of the entry and exit criteria for the task.

Software metrics programs must be designed to provide the specific information necessary to manage software projects and improve software engineering processes and services. Organizational, project, and task goals are determined in advance and then metrics are selected based on those goals. The metrics are used to determine our effectiveness in meeting these goals.

When talking to our customers, we may find many of their individual needs are related to the same goal

or problem but expressed from their perspective or in the terminology of their specialty. Many times, what we hear is their frustrations.

For example, the Project Manager may need to improve the way project schedules are estimated. The Functional Manager is worried about late deliveries.  The practitioners complain about overtime and not having enough time to do things correctly.  The Test Manager states that by the time the test group gets the software it’s too late to test it completely before shipment.

When selecting metrics, we need to listen to these customers and, where possible, consolidate their various goals or problems into statements that will help define the metrics that are needed by our organization or team.

In our example, all these individuals are asking for an improved and realistic schedule estimation process