A difficult challenge that comes up regularly is the idea that performance assurance starts with Volume and Performance testing. The assertion is that unless detailed performance data for the solution is available then there is little that can usefully be done. I have touched on an alternative approach in my “Principles of Capacity Management” document, where I examine what can usefully be done at different project stages. Continue reading ‘You can’t manage performance until…’ »
Posts tagged ‘principles’
I have been aware for a while that the IT infrastructure library (ITIL) contains a section on Capacity Management. There is, however, relatively little information that is publicly available about ITIL and the way that it is fitted together. (A summary of ITIL is available here.) As a member of the BCS I found a summary of the foundations of ITIL on the 24×7 books site that membership provides access to. Possibly more interesting, however, is the following article that provides some description of the ITIL Capacity Management, along with a simple example of an ITIL Capacity Plan: ITIL Capacity Management Deep Dive Continue reading ‘ITIL and Capacity Management’ »
When creating a system it is common knowledge that its performance is important, since users of the system will be put off it is deemed to be too slow. It is also common knowledge that performance testing tools, such as OpenSTA, can create load tests to help make sure that your system will perform. The use of these and other tools and techniques to make sure that the system as a whole performs well is, however, rather less well understood. As part of the consultancy approach that I use I have created a document that outlines an approach to fitting performance testing into a company’s development process. The document provides a context for managing system performance, and was originally written to use during consultancy assignments. I have decided to offer it as a Free Resource for those who might find it useful.
The document more describes the management approach required for the Capacity Management, rather than going into the technical details. As such, it does not assume detail technical knowledge or go into the mathematical basis for performance modelling or testing. At 18 pages it is quite short for one of my documents, and can be downloaded from here.
