Standardizing complexity characteristics in Function Points: A process improvement.

摘要

The Function Point (FP) concept was introduced to ''define'' a measure for applications development and maintenance functions avoiding the problems inherent in productivity measures in the late 1970s. At that time, Albrecht outlines three essentials elements for software size measurement: the measure must be technology independent; the technique must measure all the application functions delivered to the end customer; and the technique must measure only the application functions as delivered. Using these three attributes of a measurement, further concentrated analysis could be performed for languages, technologies, methodologies, and tools. The characterization of systems and the quality of the product are motives for subscribing to FPs. Since the inception of FPs, attempts have been made to improve the process of quantifying FPs. Some of these attempts have strayed from the intended use of FPs and have diverted valuable energy away from consistent application. The purpose of this article is to describe the process and the quantification of complexity factors for each of the five Unadjusted FPs. 4 refs.