The Project Management Tool Kit: 100 Tips and Techniques for Getting the Job Done Right

Document Desired Behaviors and Outcomes

Before deciding what to measure on projects, define the behaviors you seek. Measurement affects behavior, so clearly define desired results and use them to guide selection of metrics.

Metrics are of three basic types: predictive, diagnostic, and retrospective. Useful systems of metrics will generally include a good balance of measurement types.

• Project predictive metrics use analysis to provide forecasts of future conditions. Most predictive project metrics are based on project plan development outputs, such as quantitative risk management assessments, activity duration estimates, and cost estimates.

• Project diagnostic metrics provide current data on project plan execution. Based on status collection, they ...