Using performance metrics in system design

Jo Ann Lockett

Expert InsightsPublished 1978

Use of performance metrics on an early prototype computer system can provide a good deal of information needed to design and produce an effective system. This paper provides an example that describes how responsiveness of a prototype system was measured and reported, and how that information could improve the system design. Responsiveness measures can provide information to make intelligent tradeoff decisions, to compare alternative hardware configurations, to evaluate software modules and to specify design of data structures and application software, and to resolve operational considerations. Other performance metrics can provide valuable data--quantifying system usage can aid in selecting system features to be retained, deleted, or modified. Availability of early prototypes and application of performance metrics to evolving systems can be an effective technique for producing high quality software.

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1978
  • Pages: 15
  • Document Number: P-6242

Citation

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Lockett, Jo Ann, Using performance metrics in system design. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1978. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P6242.html.
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