Which of the following is an estimation technique where the results can be measure by the functional size of an information system based on the number and complexity of input, output, interface and queries?
A. Functional Point analysis
Explanation
For CISA exam you should know below information about Functional Point Analysis:
Function Point Analysis (FPA) is an ISO recognized method to measure the functional size of an information system. The functional size reflects the amount of functionality that is relevant to and recognized by the user in the business. It is
independent of the technology used to implement the system.
The unit of measurement is "function points". So, FPA expresses the functional size of an information system in a number of function points (for example: the size of a system is 314 fop's).
The functional size may be used:
To budget application development or enhancement costs
To budget the annual maintenance costs of the application portfolio
To determine project productivity after completion of the project
To determine the Software Size for cost estimating
All software applications will have numerous elementary processes or independent processes to move data. Transactions (or elementary processes) that bring data from outside the application domain (or application boundary) to inside that
application boundary are referred to as external inputs. Transactions (or elementary processes) that take data from a resting position (normally on a file) to outside the application domain (or application boundary) are referred as either an
external outputs or external inquiries. Data at rest that is maintained by the application in question is classified as internal logical files. Data at rest that is maintained by another application in question is classified as external interface files.
Types of Function Point Counts:
Development Project Function Point Count
Function Points can be counted at all phases of a development project from requirements up to and including implementation. This type of count is associated with new development work. Scope creep can be tracked and monitored by
understanding the functional size at all phase of a project. Frequently, this type of count is called a baseline function point count.
Enhancement Project Function Point Count
It is common to enhance software after it has been placed into production. This type of function point count tries to size enhancement projects. All production applications evolve over time. By tracking enhancement size and associated costs a
historical database for your organization can be built. Additionally, it is important to understand how a Development project has changed over time.
Application Function Point Count
Application counts are done on existing production applications. This "baseline count" can be used with overall application metrics like total maintenance hours. This metric can be used to track maintenance hours per function point. This is an
example of a normalized metric. It is not enough to examine only maintenance, but one must examine the ratio of maintenance hours to size of the application to get a true picture.
Productivity:
The definition of productivity is the output-input ratio within a time period with due consideration for quality.
Productivity = outputs/inputs (within a time period, quality considered)
The formula indicates that productivity can be improved by (1) by increasing outputs with the same inputs, (2) by decreasing inputs but maintaining the same outputs, or (3) by increasing outputs and decreasing inputs change the ratio
favorably.
Software Productivity = Function Points / Inputs
Effectiveness vs. Efficiency:
Productivity implies effectiveness and efficiency in individual and organizational performance. Effectiveness is the achievement of objectives. Efficiency is the achievement of the ends with least amount of resources.
Software productivity is defined as hours/function points or function points/hours. This is the average cost to develop software or the unit cost of software. One thing to keep in mind is the unit cost of software is not fixed with size. What
industry data shows is the unit cost of software goes up with size.
Average cost is the total cost of producing a particular quantity of output divided by that quantity. In this case to Total Cost/Function Points. Marginal cost is the change in total cost attributable to a one-unit change in output.
There are a variety of reasons why marginal costs for software increase as size increases. The following is a list of some of the reasons
As size becomes larger complexity increases.
As size becomes larger a greater number of tasks need to be completed.
As size becomes larger there is a greater number of staff members and they become more difficult to manage.
Function Points are the output of the software development process. Function points are the unit of software. It is very important to understand that Function Points remain constant regardless who develops the software or what language the
software is developed in. Unit costs need to be examined very closely. To calculate average unit cost all items (units) are combined and divided by the total cost. On the other hand, to accurately estimate the cost of an application each
component cost needs to be estimated.
Determine type of function point count
Determine the application boundary
Identify and rate transactional function types to determine their contribution to the unadjusted function point count.
Identify and rate data function types to determine their contribution to the unadjusted function point count.
Determine the value adjustment factor (VAF)
Calculate the adjusted function point count.
To complete a function point count knowledge of function point rules and application documentation is needed. Access to an application expert can improve the quality of the count. Once the application boundary has been established, FPA
can be broken into three major parts
FPA for transactional function types
FPA for data function types
FPA for GSCs
Rating of transactions is dependent on both information contained in the transactions and the number of files referenced, it is recommended that transactions are counted first. At the same time a tally should be kept of all FTR's (file types
referenced) that the transactions reference. Every FTR must have at least one or more transactions. Each transaction must be an elementary process. An elementary process is the smallest unit of activity that is meaningful to the end user in
the business. It must be self-contained and leave the business in consistent state
The following were incorrect answers:
Critical Path Methodology - The critical path method (CPM) is an algorithm for scheduling a set of project activities
Gantt Chart - A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart, developed by Henry Gantt in the 1910s, that illustrates a project schedule. Gantt charts illustrate the start and finish dates of the terminal elements and summary elements of a project.
Terminal elements and summary elements comprise the work breakdown structure of the project. Modern Gantt charts also show the dependency (i.e. precedence network) relationships between activities. Gantt charts can be used to show
current schedule status using percent-complete shadings and a vertical "TODAY" line as shown here.
Time box Management - In time management, a time boxing allocates a fixed time period, called a time box, to each planned activity. Several project management approaches use time boxing. It is also used for individual use to address
personal tasks in a smaller time frame. It often involves having deliverables and deadlines, which will improve the productivity of the user.
CISA review manual 2014 Page number 154