What's New in Function Point WORKBENCH™ Release 7.0
The Function Point WORKBENCH™ Release 7.0 includes a range of both new and
enhanced features.
You can now record Summary Counts in the WORKBENCH Repository. In previous
WORKBENCH releases, all counts were recorded as Detailed Counts, where every
attempt is made to identify each unique Transaction and Data Function Type
and and assign Function Type and Complexity to them. In contrast, a Summary
Count does not require identification of individual Logical Files and
Transactions.
Four Summary Count levels are available. The method used to assess the Value
Adjustment Factor is also recorded.
This ability to record Summary Counts is especially useful for approximated
Application Baseline Counts and early project lifecycle “order of
magnitude” size estimates. Summary Counts have their own Count Reports and, importantly,
participate in the Portfolio Reporting.
Closely coupled with the Summary Counts is the capability to approximate
Function Point size from data about the physical artefacts associated with
the software being sized. This includes, for example, numbers of screens,
interfaces, reports and so on. The module used to approximate the size is
referred to as the Approximator. The data for the Approximator is stored as
entered but can also be passed directly into an associated Summary Count.
Since this is an approximation, there is a wider margin of error than for a
detailed count. However, for many important business purposes, the degree of
accuracy for the Function Point size determined in this way is sufficient
for the intended use.
Some examples of these business purposes are:
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Determining the size of an Application Portfolio to satisfy ‘due diligence’
requirements prior to signing outsourcing contracts
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Determining appropriate levels of staffing for maintenance and production
support
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Validating cost effectiveness of outsourced support
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Assessing the asset value of the software application portfolio, for
taxation or similar purposes
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Determining replacement cost of a software application
And, importantly:
An organisation may have hundreds of applications in its portfolio. This
size approximation method is obviously very much faster than performing a
detailed count. It is also extremely cost effective.
To facilitate data collection, the WORKBENCH equips you with all you need to
complete this task as painlessly as possible. Adobe Forms, supplied as
standard components of the WORKBENCH installation, facilitate the electronic
collection of data for each application or project to be sized. All you need
for this step is access to Adobe Reader. The data can then be stripped by
Adobe Acrobat from these forms into an XML file which is imported directly
into the WORKBENCH. Adobe Acrobat provides functionality for the email
distribution, tracking and collection of these forms – so your task can be
made even easier.
Sort lists on column headings. Select the order you wish to work with.
Type an alphanumeric string in the Find box to filter display for matching
entries.
Transform the Hierarchy into a list for fast Find or Filtering. Flag
hierarchy nodes from this list. Go directly to flagged nodes in the
Hierarchy.
Size a group of Transactions directly in this list.
From Search and Highlight, list matched Transactions and Components.
Bulk insert Notes directly into the Notes List. For example, paste the table
of contents from your reference document directly into your Notes List and
link the appropriate reference directly to your Transactions or Files.
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See the entire list of Notes for the Application or
use the Count Only filter to show only those Notes attached to
Transactions, Files and GSCs in the Count. |
Import XML Counts into the WORKBENCH.
Export a group of Counts in XML format.
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Use shortcut context menu to assign Data Function Type, Complexity,
Multiplier and Enhancement Type to Files directly in this list.
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Insert Files from External Data Sources directly into this list.
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See whether there is a Note attached and go directly to view.
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Size a group of Files by selecting them in this list.
Explicitly select the Data Function Type or choose to derive the Type from
the way the Transactions use the Files.
The contribution of the Logical File to the Count or Count View will now
consistently use the Function Point value as it appears in this list.
Support for IFPUG CPM 4.3
IFPUG
4.3 is now selectable as the IFPUG Release for a Count.
The Productivity Rate Calculator has been enhanced to generate simple estimates.
And don’t forget that this Calculator can be easily calibrated to your
environment.
The Publisher module is now fully integrated with the WORKBENCH. Use
"Reporting | Publish Count Reports" from the WORKBENCH. Publisher will open
immediately, referencing your Count for reporting.
Publish reports in English, German, Korean, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. If you
wish to add your language, just email
support@charismatek.com.
Publish reports as:
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MSWord document – Easy to blend into your own documents. Published in
continuous format (one set of headings, continuous body text and one set of
footers) ready to take up your styling, formatted into tables where
appropriate. Easy to edit.
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MSExcel document – Open in Excel for further analysis. Published in a
continuous format.
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HTML format - View with standard browser. View from remote locations.
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MHTML format – Include the hierarchy diagram, complete with active
flyover, in your reports as a concise embedded object and click - open to
browse. Publish on your Intranet. Email to clients.
Some of the new reports are:
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Transaction Details (Condensed Format)
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File Details (Condensed Format)
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Notes List
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Labels List
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Functions to Notes Cross-Reference
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Functions to Notes Cross-Reference (Details)
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Notes to Functions Cross-Reference
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Notes to Functions Cross-Reference (Details)
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Transactions to Files Cross-Reference
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Transactions to Files Cross-Reference (Details)
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Files to Transactions Cross-Reference
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Files to Transactions Cross-Reference (Details)
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Baseline Transaction and File List
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Baseline Function Point Summary
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Use Case Summary
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Use Case and Actor List
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Transactions / Files Cross-Reference Matrix
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New Report Across Counts - a Portfolio Report
This is the first of a new series of Portfolio Reports.
The Function Point Count Management report supports the management of the
actual Counting Process. Just select the Counts for reporting on a periodic
basis to check their status.
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A user can now open a Count directly from a Recent
Counts shortcut or from an object embedded in a document or other
repository. Can’t remember where the count was that you were working on
yesterday? No problem. Want to open a count directly from your metrics
repository? Just click on the object or icon. The WORKBENCH will start
up and open the nominated count, ready for viewing or modification. |
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The folder of Recent Counts shortcuts will look something like this. The
shortcut files have the suffix ".fpwsc".
Projects sized in the WORKBENCH can now quickly and easily participate in
benchmark reporting. When a project is completed, the relevant counts for
the project are passed into Q/P Management Group’s Software Management Reporting (SMR)
tool, where they can be combined with the project’s effort, schedule and
cost data. The SMR module then delivers project benchmark reports instantly
as Word documents and other formats.
This level of integration means that everyone everywhere has the ability to
record project size at project milestones and benchmark performance
comparisons in one single painless process.
To find out more about Q/P Management Group's SMR tool and to view on online demo,
click here.
Function Point WORKBENCH™ Release 7.0h is now also fully Windows 7 compliant.
It continues to support Windows XP and Windows Vista.
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