Early Function Points : a new estimation method for software projects

Function Point Analysis is a software measurement technique which is gaining wider diffusion all over the world even if some experts pointed out various problems affecting it. The present paper describes a new technique for Function Points estimation (Early and Extended Function Points Method) with the objective to solve some of these problems. The use of the proposed estimation technique allows: • To anticipate, in the life-cycle of a software project, the determination of the number of Function Points (FP) to be developed or maintained; • To highly reduce time and cost in the formulation of the measurement usually required by a detailed evaluation;