To help understand how correlating the basic elements of Unified Modeling Language and Cyclomatic Complexity with Function Point Analysis (FPA) principles lead to develop an automated software functional sizing tool. This concept has been difficult to achieve due to the logical nature of the FPA sizing methodology versus the physical nature of source lines of code (SLOC). In this approach, we examine software complexity from design and maintainability perspectives in order to understand relationships in physical code. Our hypothesis is that this method will “simulate” FPA principles and produce an objective sizing method. This would provide the foundation for an automated tool that scans physical software code to derive “Objective Function Points” (OFPs) functional size measure. The goal of this presentation is to show how OFPs lead to another metric called Objective Module Points (OMPs). Results are showing that OMPs are in range of traditional Function Points counts. Since Simplified Function Points (SiFPs) are very close to Function Points in results, this would also lead to a correlation to SiFPs. This would allow FPAs and SiFPs groups to use an Automated Function Point tool to compare estimates against the OMPs which are consistent and not subjective to an Function Point expert.
Presenter
Paul Cymerman
Mr. Paul Cymerman works for Quaternion Consulting Inc. (QCI) supporting the Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). He has over 33 years of experience as a software cost analyst, aerospace engineer, and computer programmer. Currently supporting the ODNI in developing independent cost estimates and researching new estimating methods. Published the following Design Complexity paper in the Global Journals.