Syzygy: A Software Metrics Global Database

SPS proposes an innovative approach to the development of a software metrics global database, Syzygy, that captures local and external data and aligns it to provide a global view. Syzygy will support identification of process improvement opportunities, tracking organizational performance trends, benchmarking, and estimation of new projects even if all the data was not collected using the same schema. A central part of our technical solution is the same definition of an object-based structure of reference models, intermediate models, and porject models that describe and align native project data. The key innovative aspects of Syzygy include the following: (1) using an object-oriented database management system to enable the development of reference models that provide the ability to analyze and compare information from different sources; (2) adopting an open architecture to facilitate integration with the user's environment; (3) using a simple, yet powerful object modeling approach that supports end-user viewing and tailoring of the mapping of project data to the reference model; (4) providing storage of and access to both the native and reference model view of an individual project's data; and (5) using the SEI measurement definition checklist approach to capture essential details of project-specific data definitions.