ITPEC IP October 2025 Question 47
Estimation methods for system development include the analogous method, the bottom-up method, and the FP (Function Point) method. Which of the following is the appropriate explanation of the FP method?
Explanation
Measuring the number of functions from input screens, output reports and files — the FP method sizes a system by the functions it provides.
The function point method counts the functions visible to the user (external inputs, external outputs, external inquiries, internal logical files and external interface files), weights each by its complexity and adds them into a function point total. The total measures the size of the system independently of the programming language, and effort and cost are then estimated from it.
Answer (b)
Why not others:
- •(a) — adding up the person-hours estimated for each activity in the WBS is the bottom-up method
- •(c) — estimating the lines of code and dividing by the standard lines per person-month is the LOC (program steps) method
- •(d) — adjusting the person-hours of a similar past system for the differences is the analogy-based method
Key rule: FP sizes a system from its functions, LOC from its code, bottom-up from its tasks and analogy from a past project; FP works early, from the screens, reports and files in the requirements, before any code exists.
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