For release: August 28, 2009
TULSA, OK - Accurate measurement leads to successful software
development, says a nationally-recognized expert in the field. And
there is a proven method to precisely scope a project: Function
Point Analysis.
"If building software is like building a house, then Function
Points are like floor plans," said Lonnie Franks, a software
measurement consultant from Dayton, OH. He spoke at the 4th Annual
Oklahoma IT Symposium, held Aug. 27 at the DoubleTree Hotel in
downtown Tulsa.
"How big will this project be? How much will it cost? How long
will it take? How much value will it deliver? So often software
development fails to deliver because of lack of measurement - it
was not scoped accurately up front, nor tracked accurately en
route, and therefore could not be judged accurately at the finish,"
says Franks, a former General Manager of NCR and semi-retired CIO
of Lighthouse Technologies. "However, there is a time-tested,
industry-proven, ISO-approved method to accurately measure software
development: Function Point Analysis."
Franks spoke on the dependability of Function Point Analysis as
a measurement tool, including its strengths and weaknesses in
different environments, technologies, and shops. He cited
real-world examples of projects that were developed successfully as
a result of FPA. And he touched on the FPA learning curve and
strategies to integrate it successfully into an IT shop's
culture.
Sponsored by StoneHenge Partners, the afternoon session also
included insights from Brett Barnes, internet marketing director
for Industrial Distribution Resources, a Tulsa distributor of
industrial air compressors. StoneHenge Partners recently completed
a complete overhaul of Barnes' website, www.ecompressedair.com,
using Function Point Analysis.
"The Functional Component Diagram was great," Barnes said. "It
gave me an understanding of the complexity of the system, and it
helped me make the business case to my CEO for the project."
Franks said accurately sizing a software project up front has
been a glaring weakness of software development for decades.
According to the Standish Group, the average project is completed
190% over budget, 220% past its deadline, and only delivers 60% of
the requested functionality. But Franks, a leader in the
International Function Point Users Group, says Function Point
Analysis is backed by a deep and growing body of knowledge, making
it pinpoint-accurate within a range of 5%.
The Symposium was sponsored by the Tulsa CIO Forum and
Information Systems Leadership of Oklahoma, a group of Oklahoma
City CIOs. The invitation-only event attracted more than 170 IT
leaders from 60 companies.
About StoneHenge Partners
StoneHenge Partners is a team of information technology
professionals committed to a singular mission: We apply technology
to solve business problems. The firm specializes in turnkey
solutions delivered on time, on budget and on target, and tackles
such diverse projects as web application development, legacy system
migrations, and multi-tier system integrations. Founded in 1999 by
Mike Fletcher, president, the company is located in the
Mid-Continent Tower, 400 S. Boston Ave., in downtown Tulsa.
For more information
Contact Ben Herrington
Or visit http://www.stonehenge.org