What is the purpose of the gearing factor?

Gearing factors are used to convert projects with many different sizing units (objects, modules, or use cases for example) back to a common sizing unit: the Basic Work Unit. The Basic Work Unit represents the smallest sizing unit that is common to all projects.

This conversion is important for two reasons. First, it allows us to apply the same family of PIs (or Productivity Indices) to all projects. Second, it allows you to compare your project, whether it is sized in tables, screens, or any other sizing unit, to QSM’s industry – or your own custom - trend lines, which can be sized in a variety of size units.

In our research, we have found a strong correlation between system size and important metrics like PI, schedule, effort, and defects. For more information on gearing factors, download our free whitepaper.