The Software Engineering Laboratory (SEL) is a joint venture between NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the University of Maryland, and Computer Sciences Corporation. The use of a goal-oriented approach to measurement establishing a maintenance improvement program within the SEL is discussed. Differences were found between the initial phase of the program and its routine application. The approach is demonstrated through concrete examples and lessons learned in the establishment of a measurement-based maintenance improvement program are summarized.>

A practical approach to improving software maintenance through measurement is presented. This approach is based on general models for measurement and improvement. Both models, their integration, and practical guidelines for transferring them into industrial maintenance settings are presented. Several examples of applications of the approach to real-world maintenance environments are discussed.>