The Dutch Method

The methods estimated and indicative function point counts, see [Function Points], have been developed by NESMA to enable function point counting early in the system life cycle. The NESMA indicative function point count is well known in the world and is referred to as "the Dutch method".

Description

The indicative function point count is performed as follows:

• determine the number of data functions (ILFs and EIFs)
• calculate the total unadjusted function point count of the application as follows:
• indicative size (fp) = 35 x number of ILFs + 15 x number of EIFs

So this estimate is based solely on the present logical files (ILFs and EIFs).
The indicative function point count is based on the assumption that there will be about three EIs (to add, change, and delete information in the ILF), two EOs, and one EQ on average for every ILF, and about one EO and one EQ for every EIF.

The difference between detailed and estimate counts is that the complexity is not determined for each individual function, but by default. After identification of all data and transactional functions, ILF and EIF complexity are assigned as low, and EI, EO, and EQ complexity are assigned as average.

The indicative function point count is based on the number of data function(ILF and EIF). The number is calculated as follows:

Indicative = (35 *ILFs) + (15 * EIFs)

Example

User requirements:

• User wants to maintain Customer data and Product data, and to reference Supplier data.

This (rough) specification is enough for an indicative function point count:

• ILF: Customer and Product
• EIF: Supplier