Acceptance issues in metrics program implementation

Process improvement initiatives such as metrics programs have a high failure rate during their assimilation in a software organization. Lack of attention to social issues and lack of communication are some of the factors affecting their acceptance. Social Psychology includes study of such acceptance issues in the adoption of technology in the workplace. Although metrics implementations are often more intrusive and their benefits are indirect compared to workplace technology in general, both are introduced for similar reasons and induce organizational change. Therefore, we apply technology adoption concepts to metrics program implementation to develop a predictive model that takes as input organizational culture, practitioner mindset, and the nature of the metrics program. Our model relates these inputs to the likelihood of a successful metrics program implementation and to areas that may need improvement. This paper includes the results of a pilot study. The predictor variables ease of use, usefulness, control, and attitude were significantly correlated with the dependent variable, the respondent's intention to perform metrics activities