The questions assist in the identification of measures that may be used to determine the answer to question which in turn allows a way to ascertain goal achievement. Quantitative - Metric Associated with every question is a set of data, either subjective or objective, that helps provide a quantitative answer. Clearly, the hierarchical structure suggested by GQM moves the organization, project or projects, to realize for improvement you must first have baseline information regarding current practice, and this information needs to be quantitative. This can be easily demonstrated by taking a goal, such as improve the time to market of new products . To achieve the goal you must show a change in time to market which means there must be baseline data indicating current or prior time to market for products that new values can be compared.
Preliminary results are available from the project web site .
This group developed a complete process model for applying GQM in an organization. Material documenting the model is also available from the web site. El Emam, et. Their findings indicate that the metrics resulting from the application of this approach do not meet the necessary criteria. It is, however, important to realize that the simplicity of the process may be it greatest asset for those just beginning with process improvement.