Until a few years ago (early 90s) there was a false notion that Function Point Analysis (FPA) was not adequate to measure objectoriented systems. Those who shared this CONCEPT, in practice, don´t really know Function Point Analysis.

With the spread of construction and design of objectoriented systems, there was also a change in the WAY in which specifying and modeling systems was done. The UML and Use Cases quickly became industry standard of software.

Within this context, in 1993 Gustav Karner proposed the methodology of the Use Case Points (based on Function Point Analysis) in an academic article with a view of ESTIMATING resources for software projects using objectoriented development and using the Objectory process.

The PCU measurement process is summarized in:

1 — COUNT the Actors and identify their complexity
2 — Count the Use Cases and identify their complexity
3 — Calculate the unadjusted PCU
4 — Determine the Technical Complexity Factor
5 — Determine the Environmental Complexity Factor
6 — Calculate the adjusted PCU

With the results of these measurements and knowing the average productivity of the organization to PRODUCE a PCU, the total effort for the project could be estimated.

Until a few years ago (early 90s) there was a false notion that Function Point Analysis (FPA) was not adequate to measure objectoriented systems. Those who shared this concept, in practice, don´t really know Function Point Analysis.

With the spread of construction and design of objectoriented systems, there was also a change in the way in which specifying and modeling systems was done. The UML and Use Cases quickly became industry standard of software.

Within this context, in 1993 Gustav Karner proposed the methodology of the Use Case Points (based on Function Point Analysis) in an academic article with a view of estimating resources for software projects using objectoriented development and using the Objectory process.

The PCU measurement process is summarized in:

1 — Count the Actors and identify their complexity
2 — Count the Use Cases and identify their complexity
3 — Calculate the unadjusted PCU
4 — Determine the Technical Complexity Factor
5 — Determine the Environmental Complexity Factor
6 — Calculate the adjusted PCU

With the results of these measurements and knowing the average productivity of the organization to produce a PCU, the total effort for the project could be estimated.