FUNCTIONPOINTANALYSIS

Determining the size of system functionality and Function Point Counting Practices Manual, release
measuring the performance of project teams is the 4.2(ISO/IEC20926).
basisofsuccessfulprojects.
According the definitions of a functional sizing meas
urement method, in FPA the Functional User Re
Currently, the most used method to determine the
quirements (FURs) is the basis for sizing. The specifi
sizeofprojectsisFunctionPointAnalysis(FPA).FPAis
cations of the FURs are analysed and the relevant
used by innumerable organisations worldwide. Over
functional processes identified. After that the func
the years FPA is become a world standard. In many
tional processes are split up in measurable units: the
regions or counties user groups are active. The most
Base Functional Components (BFC). The BFCs are
important ones are the International Function Points
valued according the rules and definitions of the
UserGroup(IFPUG),theNetherlandsSoftwareMetrics
method. The score isthe measure of size ofthe BFC.
Association(NESMA)andtheFinnishSMA(FiSMA).
Thesumofthescoresindicatesthesizeoftheapplica

tion.
IFPUG
The mission of IFPUG is to be a recognised leader in
FunctionPointAnalysis
promotingandencouragingtheeffectivemanagement
Function Point Analysis is measuring the size of the
of application
user functions (BFCs) of the software of the applica
software devel
tionorapartofit.Theuserfunctionsarethecompo
opment and
nents requested and recognised by the user. These
maintenance
componentsareretrievedfromthespecificationsthat
activities through
describe what the software should do to fulfil users
the use of Func
needs(FURs).Itsaboutthefunctionalitythesoftware
tion Point Analy
should provide, not how it will be implemented. The
sis and other
size of a user function is determined based on com
software meas
plexity.
urement tech

niques.IFPUGendorsesFPAasitsstandardmethodol
Userfunctions
ogyforsoftwaresizing.Insupportofthis,IFPUGmain
Userfunctionsaredividedintwomaingroups:
tains the Function Point Counting Practices Manual,
LogicalFiles;
the recognized industry standard for FPA. The latest
Transactions.
release is Function Point Counting Practices Manual,

release4.2.
A logical file is a user identifiable group of logically

relateddata.FPArecognisestwotypes:
TheresultofaFunctionPointAnalysisisthebasisfor
InternalLogicalFile(ILF)
determining performance (productivity, speedto
alogicalfileresidingentirelywithintheapplication
market and quality). The measurement method is
boundary and is maintained through External In
especially suited for applications with strong data
put;
processing.FunctionPointsAnalysismeasuresoftware
ExternalInterfaceFile(EIF)
by quantifying its functionality provided to the user
a logical file that is used for reference purpose
based primarily on the functional requirements. The
only.
measure is independent of the used development

platformandthewaythefunctionalityisspecified,the
Atransactionisasetconsecutiveactionsseenasone
productdeliveredisdrivingtheresult.
cohesiveunitofwork.

ISO/IEC14143
ISO/IEC standard 141431 describes the guidelines a
method for Functional Size Measurement should
meet.InJanuary2003FPAiscertifiedbyISO/IECasa
Functional Size Measurement Method on the basis
methoddescribedasunadjustedFPAinthehandbook

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Software Estimation Series sheet 2

Ton Dekkers / Director of Consulting
 FPAdifferentiatesthreetypesoftransactions: EOcomplexity DataElementTypes
ExternalInput(EI) <7 715 >15
an elementary process in which data crosses the File <2 L L A
boundaryfromoutsidetoinside; Types 2 5 L A H
ExternalOutput(EO) Referenced >5 A H H
an elementary process in which derived data
crossestheboundaryfrominsidetooutside; Used FTR are counted 2 (deliveries, customer). The
ExternalInquiry(EQ) number of DET is more complicated but assumed to
an elementary process in which retrieved data bemorethan6andlessthan19.
crossestheboundaryfrominsidetooutside. Basedontheanalysis,thecomplexityofthisfunction
is identified as Average. According the complexity
translationtable,thesizeis5functionpoints(fp).
Ext. Input
ILF
Thebenefitsataglance
hardware

FunctionPointAnalysis:

hardware
I/O

storage
FUR gives insight in functionality, the size of the func
tionalityandtherequiredbudget;
Ext. Output supportsdrawinguparealisticplanning;
isobjectiveandeasytouse;
Ext. Inquiry EIF supports communication between principal, user
andsupplier;
complieswithISO14143.


Thecomplexityofauserfunctionisdeterminedusing
GalorathandFPA
the complexity table for each type. The complexity
OvertheyearsGalorathhasgainedalotofexperience
depends on the number of data elements (DET) and
with FPA. In addition to the experiences in executing
thenumberoflogicalfiletypesreferenced(FTR)iden
FPA, Galorath and associated partners do have the
tified in the user function. Three levels of complexity
facilities to implement this method and to train em
aredistinguished:low,averageandhigh.
ployees.
After the complexity of the user function is deter
Both Galorath and the partners are involved in the
mined, applying the rules described in the manual
International and National User Groups. Certified
version 4.2, the number of function points will be
employees can support customers in application, re
allocatedtotheuserfunction.Infollowingcomplexity
viewandimplementation.
translationtablethetransformationvaluesareshown.
In SEER for Software, Function Points is identified as

one of the main drivers (the size of the application /
ILF EIF EI EO EQ
program)foranestimate.
Low 7 5 3 4 3

Average 10 7 4 5 4
Liketoknowmore?
High 15 10 6 7 6
We would like to tell you more about FPA. You can

contact one of our consultants for a talk withoutany
The size ofthe application is the sum ofthe function
obligations.Justsendanemailtopi@galorath.com.
pointsoftheincludeduserfunctions.
On www.galorath.com you will find a more extensive

overview of the possibilities and services Galorath
Example
offers.
Invoices should be made as part of the financial set

tlementofweek40.Theseinvoicesrelatetocustomer
FPA documentation can be acquired through IFPUG
productdeliveriesinweek40.Fortheinvoicealldeliv
(www.ifpug.org) or local SMAs. Some of the local
eriesofweek40willbecollected.Theinvoiceiskept
organisationsoffertranslatedversions.
indatastoragetowriteoffcustomerspayments.The
customerreceivesahardcopyoftheinvoice.

The function is determined to be an External Output
(derived data crosses boundary from inside to out
side).
Estimate | Analyze | Plan | Control

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