Function point analysis: difficulties and improvements

Author

Symons, Charles R.

Author_Institution

Nolan, Norton & Co., London, UK

Volume

14

Issue

1

fYear

1988

fDate

1/1/1988 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

2

Lastpage

11

Abstract

The method of function point analysis was developed by A. J. Albrecht (1979) to help measure the size of a computerized business information system. Such sizes are needed as a component of the measurement of productivity in system development and maintenance activities, and as a component of estimating the effort needed for such activities. Close examination of the method shows certain weaknesses, and the author proposes a partial alternative. A description is given of the principles of this Mark II approach. The results are presented of some measurements of actual systems to calibrate the Mark II approach, and conclusions are drawn on the validity and applicability of function point analysis generally

Keywords

management information systems; systems analysis; Mark II; computerized business information system; function point analysis; maintenance; productivity; system development; Environmental factors; Gain measurement; Helium; Information analysis; Information processing; Information systems; Information technology; Productivity; Project management; Size measurement;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Software Engineering, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0098-5589

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/32.4618

Filename

4618