A Software Development Company Is Designing an Evaluation Plan for Its

question 157

Multiple Choice

A software development company is designing an evaluation plan for its software programmers. The company feels that changes are necessary because it lacks the facts it needs to distinguish outstanding software programmers from those that are only average, or worse. Previously, the company paid software programmers a flat salary and based evaluations on supervisors' opinions. Now, however, the company is considering the following measures for its software programmers: Measurement Strategy Alpha: Software programmers will be evaluated based on the total number of lines of code that they produce.
Measurement Strategy Beta: Software programmers will be evaluated based on their ability to produce computer code that is free of errors.
Measurement Strategy Gamma: Software programmers will be evaluated based on the market success of the products they produce.
Which of the following would be most similar to a decision to use Measurement Strategy Alpha and Measurement Strategy Beta together?

• A) Axiom evaluates its sales staff on the number of sales they make and the size of those sales.
• B) Personal Devices rewards its brand managers more heavily for sales of new products than for sales of previously existing products.
• C) Stardust 'n' Clay rewards production line workers based on meeting production quotas and avoiding product defects.
• D) Oak Meteors customer service agents are evaluated based on the quantity of calls they answer and the number of follow-up purchases that those callers make.
• E) Spa World valet parkers get a yearly bonus based on overall customer performance and supplement their income with tips from customers.

---

Definitions:

Desired Performance

The standard or level of output that an organization aims to achieve through its employees or systems.

Actual Performance

The real outputs or results achieved by an individual, team, or organization.

Negative Connotation

The association of a word or phrase with something negative, making it undesirable or unattractive.

Managerial Control

The process by which management ensures that resources are obtained and used effectively and efficiently in the accomplishment of an organization's objectives.