Function Points

Function points are measurement of a unit for software which resembles an hour measuring time. The functionality of the software is quantified by function points on the request provided by the customer primarily based on logical design. Function points measures software development and its maintenance consistently among all projects and enterprises. Function points are used a metric in software testing. They are used to measure the size of the software, functionality by measuring the requirements. Function points are consistent and independent of design. Function Points can be used in estimations.

As of 2013, there are several recognized standards and/or public specifications for sizing software based on Function Point

1. ISO Standards
COSMIC: ISO/IEC 19761:2011 Software engineering. A functional size measurement method.
FiSMA: ISO/IEC 29881:2008 Information technology - Software and systems engineering - FiSMA 1.1 functional size measurement method.
IFPUG: ISO/IEC 20926:2009 Software and systems engineering - Software measurement - IFPUG functional size measurement method.
Mark-II: ISO/IEC 20968:2002 Software engineering - Ml II Function Point Analysis - Counting Practices Manual
NESMA: ISO/IEC 24570:2005 Software engineering - NESMA function size measurement method version 2.1 - Definitions and counting guidelines for the application of Function Point Analysis

2. OMG Specification for Automated Function Point
OMG, an open membership and not-for-profit computer industry standards consortium, has adopted the Automated Function Point (AFP) specification led by the Consortium for IT Software Quality. It provides a standard for automating the Function Point counting according to the guidelines of the International Function Point User Group (IFPUG).

See Also

• Function Point Analysis (FPA)