Function Point Sizing

“The goal of applied software measurement is to give software managers a set of useful, tangible data points for sizing, estimating, managing, and controlling software projects with rigor and precision.”

Capers Jones, Chief Scientist, SPR

With this philosophy, SPR has been a leading proponent of functional sizing since our foundation in the mid-1980s. Function Point Analysis (FPA) is a technique for measuring software in terms of the functionality it delivers. The advantage is applicability to management of software projects, and time-tested consistency and reliability.

FPA is used as the basis for evaluation, prediction, and optimization of software projects. Because it can be applied before construction begins, it is more useful as a basis for estimation than physical metrics such as lines of code. Since measurement can occur early in the life cycle, timely and accurate estimates, and risk and project scope evaluation can be made.

Due to the consistent nature of the metric, FPA facilitates comparison (benchmarking) of application and project performance (productivity, quality, and staffing) on a reliable basis. Productivity rates for applications of a similar attribute profile can be compared for benchmarking and improvement purposes. Productivity rates from past projects can also be used to predict effort.