Page 134 - DCAP304_DCAP515_SOFTWARE_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT

Software Project Management

Notes communicated to the project team. If the amount of growth of projects declines over time it is a
natural assumption that communication with the user has improved.

Characteristic of Quality Function Point Analysis

Function Point Analysis should be performed by trained and experienced personnel. If Function
Point Analysis is conducted by untrained personnel, it is reasonable to assume the analysis will
done incorrectly. The personnel counting function points should utilize the most current version
of the Function Point Counting Practices Manual.

Current application documentation should be utilized to complete a function point count. For
example, screen formats, report layouts, listing of interfaces with other systems and between
systems, logical and/or preliminary physical data models will all assist in Function Points Analysis.

The task of counting function points should be included as part of the overall project plan. That
is, counting function points should be scheduled and planned. The first function point count
should be developed to provide sizing used for estimating.
The Five Major Components

Since it is common for computer systems to interact with other computer systems, a boundary
must be drawn around each system to be measured prior to classifying components. This boundary
must be drawn according to the user’s point of view. In short, the boundary indicates the border
between the project or application being measured and the external applications or user domain.
Once the border has been established, components can be classified, ranked and tallied.

 External Inputs (EI): An elementary process in which data crosses the boundary from
outside to inside. This data may come from a data input screen or another application.
The data may be used to maintain one or more internal logical files. The data can be either
control information or business information. If the data is control information it does not
have to update an internal logical file. The graphic represents a simple EI that updates 2
ILF’s (FTR’s).

 External Outputs (EO): An elementary process in which derived data passes across the
boundary from inside to outside. Additionally, an EO may update an ILF. The data creates
reports or output files sent to other applications. These reports and files are created from
one or more internal logical files and external interface file. The following graphic represents
on EO with 2 FTR’s there is derived information (green) that has been derived from the ILF’s

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