The words Metrics and Matrix cause confusion, as they sound similar. So, what’s the difference between them?

Metrics:

Metric is a measurement.

Product Quality Metrics describe the characteristics (i.e. Size, complexity, performance Quality level of the product). For example:

  • Mean time to failure
  • Defect density
  • Customer Problems
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Defect Removal Efficiency

Matrix:

Matrix is a data representation and data collection mechanism. Then we use collected data to derive metrics. For example:

  • Requirements Traceability Matrix
  • Functional Traceability Matrix
  • Test Matrix