Framework and initial phases for computer performance improvement
Thomas E. Bell, BARRY W. BOEHM, R. A. Watson · 1972
Computer performance analysis often evokes an image of a hardware monitor dictating a particular hardware modification that doubles the system's capacity. In fact, it usually involves measuring system performance, but is not necessarily limited to the use of hardware monitors, nor does it necessarily involve a hardware modification. It also includes the use of such measurement data sources as software monitors, computer accounting systems, sign-in logs, maintenance logs, and observations from computer operators, system programmers, and users. No specific improvement modification (hardware, etc.) is dictated by the measurements; the analyst must (1) formulate hypotheses about possible inefficiencies and/or bottlenecks in the system by gathering and analyzing computer performance data and (2) suggest alternative system modifications that will improve performance. Such modifications may deal with computer hardware, but they may also deal with computer software, operational procedures, job scheduling, job costing, and any system elements that directly or indirectly affect total system performance.