A check sheet is a paper form that lists items to be measured, checked, and recorded. It makes data collection easy and standardized through the form's particular design. Various check sheets are possible, depending on the objective of the data collection exercise, such as measuring process variation, analyzing types of defects, and identifying causes of defects (see, for example, Kume, pp. 1016). Check sheets are often coupled with histograms to display visualization and use of data collected in the histograms. It makes sense to start with check sheets to determine if the data collected is feasible and useful for the intended purpose in a software context. Figure 6.8 shows a typical example of a check sheet for a software development process. Figure 6.8. An Example of a Check Sheet |