Question of the Day

1
Question of the Day

• Which of the following things measure the size
  of the project in terms of the functionality that
  has to be provided in the project?
• inputs, outputs, classes/objects, methods, files,
  reports, commands, records
• What other things might be counted?

2
Cost Estimation

• Using Function Points

3
Function Points

• Attempting to measure functionality
• widely used in business applications
• IFPUG

4
Program Features

• outputs
• inquiries
• inputs
• files
• interfaces

5
Pressman, Soft Eng, 5th Ed

• Outputs
• Each user output that provides
  application-oriented information to the user is
  counted. In this context output refers to
  reports, screens, error messages, and so on.
  Individual data items within a report are not
  counted separately

6
Pressman, Soft Eng, 5th Ed

• Inputs
• Each user input that provides distinct
  application-oriented data to the software is
  counted. Inputs should be distinguished from
  inquiries, which are counted separately
• Inquiries
• An inquiry is defined as an on-line input that
  results in the generation of some immediate
  software response in the form of an on-line
  output. Each distinct inquiry is counted.

7
Pressman, Soft Eng, 5th Ed

• Files
• Each logical master file (I.e. a logical
  grouping of data that may be one part of a large
  database or a separate file), is counted
• External interfaces
• All machine readable interfaces (e.g. data files
  on tape or disk) that are used to transmit
  information to another system are counted.

8
Dreger, FPA, 1989

• A function point is defined as one end-user
  business function
• business functions made available to the user
  are identified
• outputs are items of business information
  processed by the computer for the end user

9
Dreger, FPA, 1989

• Inquiries are direct inquiries into a data base
  or master file that look for specific data, use
  simple keys, require immediate response and
  perform no update functions
• Inputs are items of business data sent by the
  user to the computer for processing and to add,
  change, or delete something.
• Files are data stored for an application, as
  logically viewed by the user

10
Dreger, FPA, 1989

• Outputs
• count each of the outputs leaving the context
  diagram area under study at the lowest
  (greatest detail) level of the logical data
  flow diagram system
• count separately if different format or different
  processing
• Dreger says detail lines and total lines are
  different, ifpug says no

11
Dreger, FPA, 1989

• Inputs
• count each unique user data or control input
  that enters the application boundary and also
  updates (adds to, changes, or deletes from) a
  logical internal file, data set, table or
  independent data item.
• count as one input each uniquely formatted or
  processed portion ...

12
Dreger, FPA, 1989

• Files
• count each major logical group of user data or
  control information
• Interfaces
• count as one interface each major logical ..
  file or other logical group of user-approved data
  or control information within the application
  boundary that is set to, shared with, or received
  from another application.

13
Weights for features

• simple average complex
• outputs 4 5 7
• inquiries 4 5 7
• inputs 3 4 6
• files 7 10
  15
• interfaces 5 7 10

14
TTYP1

• Identify the inputs, outputs, enquiries, files
  and interactions for the following task.
• A doctors appt_system makes appointments for
  patients. Patients select type of visit and asks
  for specific time or next available or times on a
  specific date. System offers choices and allows
  patient to select and/or confirm appointment.

15
Questions

• Does the system require reliable backup and
  recovery?
• Are data communications required?
• Are there distributed processing functions?
• Is performance critical?
• Will the system run in an existing, heavily
  utilized operational environment?

16
Questions

• Does the system require on-line data entry?
• Does the on-line data entry require the input
  transaction to be built over multiple screens or
  operations?
• Are the master files updated on-line?
• Are the inputs, outputs, files, or inquiries
  complex?
• Is the internal processing complex?

17
Questions

• Is the code designed to be reusable?
• Are conversion and installation included in the
  design?
• Is the system designed for multiple installations
  in different organizations?
• Is the application designed to facilitate change
  and ease of use by the user?

18
Adjusted Function Points

• FP FPunadjusted (.65 0.01 (sum of
  ratings ) )

19
TTYP2

• What if function points are not equal in effort?
• How could you adjust your counting?

20
For Thursday

• Find the article

21
For Thursday

• Find and read the following article
• Critical Success Factors in Software Projects
  by John Reel in IEEE Software, May/June 1999
• Use IEEExplore (Hale Library, Databases,
  Engineering, search for author John Reel)