This person can make or break the software measurement program. It is critical to the program's success to place the measurement function under the senior management who endorses and believes in the measurement initiative. More than one measurement program has suffered demise by reorganization. True to a limited extent. However, an important part of any new program's success lies in recognizing people and their accomplishments.
Participants appreciate some acknowledgment of their efforts.
Small tokens such as certificates, coffee mugs, ribbons, and thank-you's from management go a long way toward making people feel good about the program. Positive reinforcement of positive actions leads to even greater success. Secrecy breeds notions of conspiracy, especially in an environment rife with downsizing, outsourcing, reengineering, or reorganization. If your measurement program is truly to measure the process and not individuals, minimize rumors to the contrary by posting the minutes of your metrics meetings. Once the published information concurs with your presentations and with what management is saying, people become comfortable with the measurement initiative.