Running the Dashboard

Both the PSP and the TSP require the collection and analysis of metrics at a very fine-grained level. Once data are collected at this level, statistical analyses of the data permit remarkable planning, tracking, prediction, and control of software products and projects.

These metrics collection and analysis processes, however, are not trivial. In any real-world project, tool support for the PSP and TSP become important considerations. Although studies have demonstrated that people can maintain their productivity when using the PSP without tool support, the "frustration factor" inherent with such an approach tries the patience of all but the most disciplined engineers, making PSP behaviors difficult to sustain.

The Process Dashboard was designed to facilitate a solution to this problem. When using the dashboard, the metrics required by the PSP can be measured quickly, easily, and accurately.