Counting function points using the IFPUG method

Recommended Use The standard function point counting method is defined by the International Function Point Users Group (IFPUG). This method is used at the completion of logical design to refine the sizing estimate, and upon completion of system development to measure the size of the delivered system. Method The standard counting method is defined in detail in the Function Point Counting Practices Manual (Release 4.2). The remainder of this segment summarizes the basic counting procedure and provides hyperlinks to the applicable chapters of the Function Point Counting Practices Manual. Step One - Determine the Type of Function Point Count The first step is to determine the type of function point count. There are variations of the counting procedure depending on whether the count is for a development project, an enhancement project, or an installed application: a development project count measures the functions provided with the first installation of the software, when the project is complete, an enhancement project count measures the incremental change to the function point count as a result of modifications to an existing system, an installed application count measures the total function point count associated with an installed application. Initially it is the same as the development project count, but it is then updated as a result of each successive enhancement project. Refer to the IFPUG Manual, chapter three, for further details. The remainder of this segment summarizes the basic counting procedure for a development project. Step Two - Identify the Counting Boundary Identify the boundary between the application or project being counted and the external applications. This establishes what functions are to be included in the function point count, and what is considered external to the application. The counting boundary is the same as the boundary defined by a Context Diagram. Refer to the IFPUG Manual, chapter four, for further details. Step Three - Determine an Unadjusted Function Point Count Calculate the Unadjusted Function Point Count, as follows:

identify each of the objects to be counted, in accordance with the

Counting Rules,

assign each object a class of complexity (low, average or high), and an unadjusted function point weight (based on the complexity class) in accordance with the Guidelines for Functional Complexity, sum the unadjusted function point weights across all of the objects to calculate the total Unadjusted Function Point Count. Refer to the IFPUG Manual, chapters five and six, for further details. Step Four - Determine a Value Adjustment Factor Use the Guidelines for Processing Complexity to assess each of 14 general systems characteristics and summarize these into a Value Adjustment Factor (VAF). Refer to the IFPUG Manual, chapter seven, for further details. Step Five - Calculate the Final Adjusted Function Point Count Multiply the Unadjusted Function Point Count (FC) by the Value Adjustment Factor (VAF) to determine the Adjusted Function Point Count (FP). The Value Adjustment Factor factors the Unadjusted Function Point Count by plus or minus 35 percent to account for the general system characteristics. Refer to the IFPUG Manual, chapter eight, for further details.