Evolution of IFPUG Function Points - Now at 4.3!
Sheila P. Dennis · 2010
Function point analysis (FPA) is the functional size method (FSM) defined by IFPUG and is a standard method for quantifying the software deliverable based upon the user view. The user perspective is interpreted as the user being any person or thing that communicates or interacts with the software at any time, including applications. FPA has successfully been used to size a wide spectrum of applications and projects, including complex financial and accounting, governmental, customer service, manufacturing and telecommunications systems. Over time it has proven effective on both older platforms and emerging technologies (e.g. mainframe, client-server, web, PC, data warehouse, voice response, cloud computing); for a variety of development types (real-time, batch, interactive or control systems); for internal or external development efforts (e.g. on-shore, off-shore, contractor-based); for all development life cycles (waterfall, RAD/JAD, Agile); and for vendor and/or COTS package integrations (SAP, SIEBEL). Flexibility, usability, consistency, and compliancy are just four of the primary characteristics that drive the value of using function points. As software deliverables are produced, tracked and analyzed, function point sizing can be used in a variety of value-added services.