Function Point Analysis: Measurement Practices for Successful Software Projects - Softcover

Garmus, David; Herron, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0201699443 ISBN 13: 9780201699449

Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional, 2000

Synopsis

(Pearson Education) Introduces the latest guidelines released in the International Function Point Users Group Counting Practices Manual 4.1. Fully explains the calculations and mechanics behind function point analysis as well as its most common uses. Also offers experience-based techniques for applying the methodology. Softcover. DLC: Computer software--Development.

About this title

About the Author

David Garmus is President of IFPUG and a member of the Counting Practices Committee. He is an authority in sizing, as well as measurement and estimation of software application development and maintenance. He is a principal of The David Consulting Group, which delivers solutions for today's business problems and tomorrow's technology requirements. With David Herron he wrote Measuring the Software Process (Prentice-Hall, 1995).

David Herron is Chair of the IFPUG Management Reporting Committee and a member of the IT Performance Committee. He is an authority in using metrics to monitor the impact of IT on the business, in advancing organizations to higher quality levels, and in governing outsourcing contracts. He is a principal of The David Consulting Group, which delivers solutions for today's business problems and tomorrow's technology requirements. With David Garmus he wrote Measuring the Software Process (Prentice-Hall, 1995).

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From the Back Cover

Function Point Analysis: Measurement Practices for Successful Software Projects is a comprehensive presentation of the principles of function point analysis (FPA) and a guide to its effective use in managing the development and deployment of software. Written for both information technology (IT) practitioners and managers, it describes how to use this proven-but-underutilized software-sizing metric to achieve successful software projects.

Completely up-to-date, the book introduces the latest rules and guidelines released in the International Function Point Users Group (IFPUG) Counting Practices Manual 4.1.

Function Point Analysis presents fundamental counting techniques for basic-to-advanced technologies. It explains the calculations for determining function point size, an indication of a software application's overall functionality and complexity. Moving beyond mechanics, the book features the most common uses of FPA and reveals experience-based techniques for applying the methodology with success.

The book covers such important topics as:

• An overview of FPA for the IT executive
• A description of software measurement, relating size to other software metrics
• Sizing data and transactional functions
• The application of general system characteristics
• Counting object-oriented, Web-based, client-server, and GUI applications
• Becoming a Certified Function Point Specialist (CFPS), using a practice exam
• The use of FPA for accurate project estimating, development and maintenance outsourcing, and performance productivity baselining
• FPA automation tools, including function point repository tools and function point- based project estimation tools
• The role of FPA in standardizing industry benchmarking data

Numerous detailed examples and case studies demonstrate the FPA methodology in action. As a reference, tutorial, and practical guide, Function Point Analysis: Measurement Practices for Successful Software Projects raises the level of awareness and understanding of FPA and its role in bringing proven quality standards to the software development industry.

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From the Inside Flap

Writing this book has been a process, a journey, and a wonderful learning experience.

We have been immersed in the world of function points and software metrics for more than ten years. We both are proud of our accomplishments and contributions to the advancement and utilization of the function point methodology. We recognize a responsibility, as experts in this field, to communicate our experiences and to express our opinions in such a way that others can gain from what we have observed, learned, and practiced. You could say that we believe and that we are extending the wisdom of the message. We have also found our writings to be an opportunity for continued learning. While writing this book, we had the good fortune to receive comments and constructive criticisms from a significant number of book reviewers and industry experts. Their thoughtful comments and contributions have given us greater insight into the software community views of software measurement and management and, in particular, function points. We thank all of you who participated in the review process.

Our second book was in many ways easier, but in some ways more challenging, than the first. We endeavored to write a book that was significantly better than the first. We achieved success with our first book, but we knew that there was so much more to share. The process of writing becomes easier once you understand that it is a process similar to developing software. Our challenge was to identify the content that would serve a diverse audience while not losing sight of the most important audience, the practitioner. After all, it is the practice, not the theory, of function points that will sustain this valuable software management methodology.

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Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

PREFACE Writing this book has been a process, a journey, and a wonderful learning experience. We have been immersed in the world of function points and software metrics for more than ten years. We both are proud of our accomplishments and contributions to the advancement and utilization of the function point methodology. We recognize a responsibility, as experts in this field, to communicate our experiences and to express our opinions in such a way that others can gain from what we have observed, learned, and practiced. You could say that we believe and that we are extending the wisdom of the message. We have also found our writings to be an opportunity for continued learning. While writing this book, we had the good fortune to receive comments and constructive criticisms from a significant number of book reviewers and industry experts. Their thoughtful comments and contributions have given us greater insight into the software community views of software measurement and management and, in particular, function points. We thank all of you who participated in the review process. Our second book was in many ways easier, but in some ways more challenging, than the first. We endeavored to write a book that was significantly better than the first. We achieved success with our first book, but we knew that there was so much more to share. The process of writing becomes easier once you understand that it is a process similar to developing software. Our challenge was to identify the content that would serve a diverse audience while not losing sight of the most important audience, the practitioner. After all, it is the practice, not the theory, of function points that will sustain this valuable software management methodology.

Edition details

• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0201699443
• ISBN 13: 9780201699449
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 363