Introduction

Functional Size Measurement (FSM) is a technique used to measure size of software by quantifying the Functional User Requirements of the software. The first published method to embrace this concept was Function Point Analysis, developed by Allan J. Albrecht in the late 1970s. Since then, numerous extensions and variations of the original method have been developed. In the field of ISO/IEC International Standards, the following Functional Size Measurement-related International Standards and Technical Reports have been published:

— ISO/IEC 14143 series, parts 1 to 5,
— ISO/IEC 19761 (COSMIC method),
— ISO/IEC 20926 (IFPUG method)
— ISO/IEC 20968 (Mk II method),
— ISO/IEC 24570 (NESMA method), and
— ISO/IEC 29881 (FiSMA method).

This part of ISO/IEC 14143 was established to provide FSM Method users and developers with a guide as to how these International Standards and Technical Reports relate to each other and how to use them.

The Functional Size (FS) obtained by measuring a piece of software, contributes to a better understanding of the characteristics of the software as well as the development, maintenance and support activities thereof. The three types of International Standards and Technical Reports related to the definition and use of FS and/or Functional Size Measurement (FSM) are:

a) Concept Standards: Describe concepts and provide definitions,
b) Supporting Standards: Supply information to assist in the evaluation of Functional Size Measurement Methods (FSMM) and examples of the software domains that they measure, and
c) Method Standards: Define instances of FSMMs.

Any FSMM, other than the Method Standards, can be used to measure FS as long as it conforms to ISO/IEC 14143‑1. FSMMs can vary in their capability to measure software in different domains. Therefore, before deciding on which FSMM to use, it is advisable to assess the capability of the method to adequately size the software to be measured.

This part of ISO/IEC 14143 provides guidance on how to select a suitable FSMM using all FSM-related standards.

The FS results obtained from applying the selected FSMM can be used for a variety of purposes throughout the lifecycle of the software. This part of ISO/IEC 14143 also provides illustrative examples of how to use FSM and functional size to manage aspects of software development and maintenance.

BS ISO/IEC 14143-6:2012

Information technology. Software measurement. Functional size measurement - Guide for use of ISO/IEC 14143 series and related International Standards

Current

Published:

30 Nov 2012