Function points in the estimation and evaluation of the software process

The authors report the results of an empirical research project on the consistency and limitations of the number of function points as an a priori measure of system size rather than the traditional lines-of-code measure. They conclude that function points are a more consistent a priori measure of system size. The results also indicate that the function-point estimate of size is lower for analysts experienced both in software development and in function-point estimation.<>