Diamond Scale: Multi-Axis Quality Grading Model

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1. Quality Axes Overview

True engineering quality cannot be collapsed into a single scalar score or marketing slogan. In gemological practice, independent attributes (such as the GIA cut, color, clarity, and carat weight) are assessed separately to ensure objective appraisal. Similarly, software quality requires evaluating independent, often competing dimensions derived from the ISO/IEC 25010 product quality standard.

Core Diamond Axes

Optional Extension Axes

Optional axes must be reported alongside the core eight and never buried within other scores:

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2. Grade Ladder & Calibration Definitions

Each axis is assigned an integer rating between 1 and 5, accompanied by an explicit confidence factor between 0.0 and 1.0:

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3. Scorecard Operational Rules

Lead integrators must observe the following rules when constructing the evaluation scorecard:

1. Independent Evaluation — Grade every axis strictly independently. Never average a critical security defect (SEC=1) with high readability (RDB=5).
2. Mandatory Confidence Disclosure — Scant or ambiguous evidence yields a low confidence score, not an inflated middle grade.
3. Traceable Top Drivers — Every axis score must cite up to five specific finding IDs that directly influenced the grade.
4. Explicit Tradeoff Documentation — When two dimensions trade off (such as fail-closed robustness versus ergonomic usability), explicitly document the architectural tradeoff in the axis notes.
5. Radar Projection Standard — The framework publishes the complete multidimensional radar vector. Composite single-number GPA summaries are strictly disallowed.

Scorecard Data Schema

The canonical scorecard format conforms to schemas/scorecard.schema.json:

{
  "cef_version": "0.1.0",
  "axes": {
    "RDB": {
      "grade": 3,
      "confidence": 0.7,
      "drivers": ["F-CODE-001", "F-DOCS-004"],
      "notes": "Clear core abstractions but inconsistent naming conventions in legacy adapters."
    },
    "MNT": {
      "grade": 2,
      "confidence": 0.8,
      "drivers": ["F-ARCH-002"],
      "notes": "Tight coupling between transport and storage layers."
    }
  },
  "optional_axes": {},
  "integrator": "role:integrator",
  "assessed_at": "2026-09-29T16:00:00Z"
}

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4. Architectural Analysis & Tradeoffs