Use of software and project management metrics in agile software development methodologies

Abstract

Context: Agile software development is widespread in software development companies because of the benefits it provides. Design and project management metrics can be used during agile software development as a guide for taking decisions and applying corrective actions. Objective: The purpose of the paper is to present the reasons of using software and project management metrics in agile software development methodologies. There are many metrics and variations of these metrics and so this research will try to identify and classify the purposes of using metrics in the context of agile software development. Method: For the purposes of the research, a systematic mapping study was conducted. Results: The research turned out that metrics are used to achieve the following aims: (a) Improving agile processes, (b) Complying with protocols in agile methodologies, (c) Improving software quality during development, (d) Improving the quality of source code, (e) Improving estimation and planning, (f) Increasing productivity. Conclusions: This study provides researchers and practitioners with a basic overview of the use of software and project management metrics in agile software development methodologies, as well as the reasoning behind the use of such metrics.