Function Point Analysis (FPA) is a software MEASUREMENT technique based on the users point of view. It measures the software functions and Function Point (FP) is its measuring unit. The method has as an objective to BECOME independent of the technology being used to BUILD the software. In other words, FPA looks to measure what the software does and not how the software was developed.

This being said, the measurement process (also called function point counting) is based on a standard evaluation of the user’s functional requirements. This standard procedure is described by IFPUG in the Counting Practices Manual.

The main estimation techniques used for software development projects assume that the software size is an important driver for the estimation of its development effort. Thus, knowing its size is one of the first steps in the effort, duration and cost estimation. 

At this point it is important to KNOW that function points do not measure effort, productivity nor cost directly. It is exclusively a software functional size unit. This size, along with other variables, is what could be used to derive pro-ductivity, estimate effort and cost of software projects.

Function Point Analysis (FPA) is a software measurement technique based on the users point of view. It measures the software functions and Function Point (FP) is its measuring unit. The method has as an objective to become independent of the technology being used to build the software. In other words, FPA looks to measure what the software does and not how the software was developed.

This being said, the measurement process (also called function point counting) is based on a standard evaluation of the user’s functional requirements. This standard procedure is described by IFPUG in the Counting Practices Manual.

The main estimation techniques used for software development projects assume that the software size is an important driver for the estimation of its development effort. Thus, knowing its size is one of the first steps in the effort, duration and cost estimation. 

At this point it is important to know that function points do not measure effort, productivity nor cost directly. It is exclusively a software functional size unit. This size, along with other variables, is what could be used to derive pro-ductivity, estimate effort and cost of software projects.