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Systems, Models and Measures seeks to bridge the gap between the 'classical' and the newer technologies by constructing a systematic measurement framework for both. The authors use their experience as consultants in systems, software and quality engineering to take the subject from concept and theory, via strategy and procedure, to tools and applications. The book clarifies the key notions of system, model, measurement, product, process, specification and design. Practical examples demonstrate the 'architecture' of measurement schemes, extending them to object-oriented and subjective measurement. A detailed case study provides a measurement strategy for formal specifications, including Prolog, Z and VDM. The reader will be able to formulate problems in measurable terms, appraise and compare formal specifications, assess and enhance existing measurement practices, and devise measurement schemes for describing objective characteristics and expressing value judgements.

Systems, Models and Measures

1.- 1 Introduction.- 2 Systems and Models.- 2.1 Intuitive notions.- 2.2 A systems approach to models.- 2.3 The system formed by the referent and its model.- 2.4 The two-part system: referent and environment.- 2.5 Black-box model: the referent as a unity.- 2.6 Structural model: the referent as a composition.- 2.7 Summary.- 2.8 References.- 3 Measures.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Characterizing a referent by measurement.- 3.3 Characterizing measures.- 3.4 Measurability.- 3.5 Metrology.- 3.6 Examples.- 3.7 Summary.- 3.8 References.- 4 Models of Specification and Design.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Products, processes, and the life history process.- 4.3 Specification of artefacts.- 4.4 Design of artefacts.- 4.5 Specification and design of processes.- 4.6 Summary.- 4.7 References.- 5 Measures of Specification and Design.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Measures and measurement schemes for product specifications.- 5.3 Process specification measures.- 5.4 FSP models and measures in practice.- 5.5 Summary.- 5.6 References.- 6 Constructing a Measurement Scheme.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Devising the case study demonstration.- 6.3 Measurement strategy options.- 6.4 A unifying reference language.- 6.5 Implementing a multiple-language strategy.- 6.6 The model-based measurement experiment.- 6.7 Summary and conclusions.- 6.8 References.- 2.- 7 A Formal Specification Medium.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Logic, Prolog and some specifications.- 7.3 Components of the Prolog logic text.- 7.4 The referent: the Prolog logic text.- 7.5 Language levels of formal specifications.- 7.6 Summary.- 7.7 References.- 8 Models and Measures of Structure.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Modelling the structure of Prolog logic text.- 8.3 Modelling programs.- 8.4 Measures of the structural model.- 8.5 The measurement tool SPA.- 8.6 Summary.- 8.7 References.- 9 Models and Measures of Data.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Models of the data of Prolog logic text.- 9.3 Measures of Prolog data.- 9.4 An example of measurement.- 9.5 The measurement scheme - a summary.- 9.6 References.- 10 An Experiment in Measuring Specifications.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Apparatus.- 10.3 Method.- 10.4 Results.- 10.5 Observations.- 10.6 Conclusions.- 10.7 References.- Appendix: Prolog code and measures of the specifications.