When it comes to the information technology area the term “user” is usually referring to the person who uses or INTERACTS with software.

Being that Function Point ANALYSIS (FPA) is a standard method for measuring software from the user’s point of view, in this context, the term “user” has a broader meaning. According to the Counting Practices Manual, a user is any person or thing that communicates or interacts with the software at any time. That is, beyond one person, a user MAY be a group of people who have a specific role during their interaction with the software, the department manager, another software or equipment. And for the Function Point Analysis (FPA), interacting with the software means sending data to the application or receiving data from it.

It should be noted that this definition of user has a meaning very close to the concept of an actor in a use case: any person or thing that interacts with the system and expects an observable value result produced by executing one or more cases of use.

Taking this widely defined user concept into consideration, during a function point count, it is appropriate to look at the set of possible users whose vision better represents the functions that the application provides. For example, an ATM application has the following users: the BANK customer, the agency official, the department manager. Base the count of this application only from the point of view of the end customer and the bank’s SELFSERVICE user is to have a limited view of the application. Also It is essential to consider the view of the user who specifies the requirements and business rules, in this case, the department manager.

When it comes to the information technology area the term “user” is usually referring to the person who uses or interacts with software.

Being that Function Point Analysis (FPA) is a standard method for measuring software from the user’s point of view, in this context, the term “user” has a broader meaning. According to the Counting Practices Manual, a user is any person or thing that communicates or interacts with the software at any time. That is, beyond one person, a user may be a group of people who have a specific role during their interaction with the software, the department manager, another software or equipment. And for the Function Point Analysis (FPA), interacting with the software means sending data to the application or receiving data from it.

It should be noted that this definition of user has a meaning very close to the concept of an actor in a use case: any person or thing that interacts with the system and expects an observable value result produced by executing one or more cases of use.

Taking this widely defined user concept into consideration, during a function point count, it is appropriate to look at the set of possible users whose vision better represents the functions that the application provides. For example, an ATM application has the following users: the bank customer, the agency official, the department manager. Base the count of this application only from the point of view of the end customer and the bank’s selfservice user is to have a limited view of the application. Also It is essential to consider the view of the user who specifies the requirements and business rules, in this case, the department manager.