1st Edition

Certified Function Point Specialist Examination Guide

    244 Pages 39 B/W Illustrations
    by Auerbach Publications

    244 Pages
    by Auerbach Publications

    The Certified Function Point Specialist Examination Guide provides a complete and authoritative review of the rules and guidelines prescribed in the release of version 4.3 of the Function Point Counting Practices Manual (CPM). Providing a fundamental understanding of the IFPUG Functional Size Measurement method, this is the ideal study guide for the CFPS examination. The text:

    • Includes time-tested tips on how to best prepare for the exam
    • Provides a series of questions and answers at the end of each chapter with specific references to the latest version of the CPM
    • Contains two CFPS practice exams to measure understanding and identify areas where more study is needed

    Active members of the Counting Practices Committee and a past president of the IFPUG supply time-tested insight on how to use the CPM manual effectively and efficiently during the exam. The two sample exams and detailed examples throughout the text help to ensure readers develop the comprehension required to attain certification the first time around. Following certification, this book is a valuable reference for applying the IFPUG method for sizing proficient software design, development, and deployment.

    Praise for the book:

    While there are a number of solid books on counting function points, this new book fills a gap in the function point literature by providing useful information on the specifics of becoming a certified function point counter. The authors are all qualified for the work at hand, and indeed have contributed to the function point counting methodology.
    —Capers Jones, President, Capers Jones & Associates LLC

    Function Point Analysis Overview
    What are Function Points?
    How Function Points are Used
    Measuring Value Delivered
    Benefits and Objectives
    Further Reading
    Exam Guidance
    Sample Exam Questions

    Identifying User Requirement
    Functional User Requirements
    Function Point Counting Procedure
    Gathering Documentation
    Sizing During the Life Cycle
    User
    User View
    Further Reading
    Exam Guidance
    Sample Exam Questions

    The Process of Counting
    Purpose of Count
    Types of Count
    Determine Counting Scope
    Determine Boundary
    Further Reading
    Exam Guidance
    Sample Exam Questions

    Data Functions
    Introduction
    What They Are: Internal Logical Files and External Interface Files
    Definitions for Embedded Terms
    Rules for Counting
    Data Entities: Business Data, Reference Data and Code Data
    Logical Files and Data Modeling
    Methodology for Identifying Logical Files
    Considering Data Element Types and Record Element Types in Conjunction with Logical Files via Entity (In-) Dependence
    Further Reading
    Exam Guidance
    Sample Exam Questions

    Elementary Process
    Introduction
    Definition of an Elementary Process
    Identifying Each Elementary Process
    Determine Unique Elementary Processes
    Classify Each Elementary Process
    Processing Logic
    Summary of Processing Logic Used by EIs, EOs and EQs
    Further Reading
    Exam Guidance
    Sample Exam Questions

    Transactional Functions
    Introduction
    What They Are: External Inputs, External Outputs and External Inquiries
    Definitions and Primary Intent
    Summary of the Functions Performed by EIs, EOs, and EQs
    Definitions for Embedded Terms
    Summary of Processing Logic Used by EIs, EOs and EQs
    Rules for Counting Transactions
    Further Reading
    Exam Guidance
    Sample Exam Questions

    Shared Data
    Introduction
    Shared Data
    Methods of Sharing Data
    Common Terms
    Scenarios
    Further Reading
    Exam Guidance
    Sample Exam Questions

    Enhancements
    Introduction
    Measuring Enhancement Projects
    Procedure
    Scope and Boundary of an Enhancement Project
    Measuring Data Functions in Enhancement Projects
    Measuring Transactional Functions in Enhancement Projects
    Processing Logic
    Considerations and Hints
    Further Reading
    Exam Guidance
    Sample Exam Questions

    Conversion
    Introduction
    Conversion
    What is Not Conversion Functionality
    Scenario 1: Enhancement Project Data Conversion
    Scenario 2: Data Conversion with EIFs Referenced
    Scenario 3: Assigning Default Values
    Further Reading
    Exam Guidance
    Sample Exam Questions

    Calculating and Applying Functional Size
    Rules for Calculating New Development
    Rules for Calculating Application Size
    Rules for Calculating Enhancement Projects
    Rules for Calculating Adjusted Functional Size
    Further Reading
    Exam Guidance
    Sample Exam Questions

    Value Adjustment Factors
    Introduction
    Value Adjustment Factor Determination
    Procedures to Determine the VAF
    General System Characteristics
    Calculating the Adjusted Functional Size
    Further Reading
    Exam Guidance
    Sample Exam Questions

    Preparing for the Certified Function Point Specialist (CFPS) Exam
    The Certification Process
    Recommendations for Exam Preparation
    Review of the IFPUG Counting Practices Manual
    What to Know / What to Look UP During Exam
    Exam Automation

    Glossary
    Exam 1
    Exam 2

    Appendix A
    Appendix B
    Index

     

    Biography

    David Garmus is a published author andacknowledged authority in the sizing, measurement and estimation of software application development and maintenance. As a co-founder of the David Consulting Group, he supports software development organizations in achieving software excellence with a metric-centered approach.Mr. Garmus is a Past President of IFPUG and a member of the IFPUG Counting Practices Committee. He has a BS from the University of California at Los Angeles and an MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. He has spoken at numerous conferences and written many articles and books on various measurement related topics.Garmus is a Certified Function Point Specialist, having fulfilled all IFPUG requirements for this title under all releases of the IFPUG Counting Practices Manual,as well asa Certified Software Measurement Specialist.Janet Russac has more than25 years of experience as a programmer, analyst, and measurement specialist in software application development and maintenance. She is the founder of Software Measurement Expertise and leads a team of experienced consultants that offer expertise in function point analysis, software measurement, estimation, auditing, training and mentoring. She is a published author, who presents workshops at companies, professional organizations, and conferences and is often a featured speaker at conferences.Ms. Russac served as the Chair of the IFPUG Management Reporting Committee from 2002 to 2004 and led the creation of an international industry certification process for individuals in the field of software measurement as Certified Software Measurement Specialists. She currently serves on the IFPUG Counting Practices Committee and the IFPUG Communications and Marketing Committee.Russac is a Certified Function Point Specialist and a Certified Software Measurement Specialist.

    While there are a number of solid books on counting function points, this new book fills a gap in the function point literature by providing useful information on the specifics of becoming a certified function point counter. The authors are all qualified for the work at hand, and indeed have contributed to the function point counting methodology.
    —Capers Jones, President, Capers Jones & Associates LLC

    This book is a comprehensive guide for the International Function Point Users Group (IFPUG) Functional Size Measurement method. It has been written to prepare practitioners planning to take the IFPUG Certified Function Point Specialist (CFPS) exam. The guide includes the rules and guidelines defined by IFPUG in the latest release (4.3) of the Function Point Counting Practices Manual (CPM). In addition, it includes examples and questions designed to help readers understand how to apply the IFPUG method, and two CFPS practice exams.
    —In Research Book News, booknews.com, February 2011