For those missing the DeMarco post, here's a counter argument from CrossTalk, titled Software Project and Process Measurement.
The notion that measure is of little value is of course unfounded in any software development environment where you are spending someone elses money. If it's you own money, then only you care.
If it's someone elses money, they probably care when you'll be done with the business value they need to implement the capabilities needed for their strategy to actually work.