Albrecht's Function point Analysis

count the following parameters of the problem:

A: number of external inputs

B: number of external outputs

C: number of inquiries (interactive external inputs)

D: number of external (i.e. permanent) files

E: number of internal (i.e. temporary) files

and decide whether each is Simple, Average, or Complex,

then calculate their weighted sum according to this table

	Simple	Average	Complex
A	3	4	6
B	4	5	7
C	3	4	6
D	7	10	15
E	5	7	10

That gives the UFC (Unadjusted Function Count)

Then, rate each of these factors on a scale of 0 to 5

where 0=irrelevant and 5=essential, and add all the factors up.

1	Reliable backup and recovery required
2	Data communications
3	Distributed functions
4	High Performance (time efficiency) required
5	? Heavily used configuration
6	On-line (interactive) data entry
7	Must be easy to use
8	On-line update
9	Complex user interface
10	Complex process
11	? Reusability
12	Ease of installation
13	Multiple installation sites
14	Easy to modify

and compute 0.65 + 0.1 × the-sum-of-all-those-weights

That gives the TCF (Technical Complexity Factor)

Then the number of Function Points, FP = UFC × TCF

and FP is supposed to be proportional to effort or time required.

( One Function Point = 2 days ! )