THE GOAL QUESTION METRIC APPROACH PAPER



The Goal Question Metric (GQM) approach is based upon the assumption that for an

organization to measure in a purposeful way it must first specify the goals for itself and its

projects, then it must trace those goals to the data that are intended to define those goals

operationally, and finally provide a framework for interpreting the data with respect to the

stated goals. Thus it is important to make clear, at least in general terms, what

informational needs the organization has, so that these needs for information can be

quantified whenever possible, and the quantified information can be analyzed a to whether

or not the goals are achieved.