Software sizing is an activity in software engineering that is used to estimate the size of a software application or component in order to be able to implement other software project management activities (such as estimating or tracking). Size is an inherent characteristic of a piece of software just like weight is an inherent characteristic of a tangible material.
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Software sizing is different from software effort estimation. Sizing estimates the probable size of a piece of software while effort estimation predicts the effort needed to build it. The relationship between the size of software and the effort required to produce it is productivity.
For example, if a software engineer has built a small web-based calculator application, we can say that the project effort was 280 man-hours. However, this does not give any information about the size of the software product itself. Conversely, we can say that the application size is 5,000 LOCs (Lines Of Code), or 30 FPs (Function Points) without identifying the project effort required to produce it.
Historically, the most common software sizing methodology has been counting the lines of code written in the application source. Another sizing method is the IFPUG method called Function point analysis. The IFPUG FPA functional sizing method (FSM) has been used successfully, despite being less accurate estimating complex algorithms and is relatively more difficult to use than estimating lines of code. Variations of Function Points include MK II Function Point, NESMA Function Points, Object Oriented Function Points, OOFP, and newer variants as Weighted Micro Function Points which factor algorithmic and control flow complexity. For more information about the similarities and differences between these ISO FSM methods see IFPUG and COSMIC - Similarities and Differences. The best Functional Sizing Method depends on a number of factors, including the functional domain of the applications, the process maturity of the developing organization and the extent of use of the FSM Method[1][2]. There are many uses and benefits of function points[3] beyond measuring project productivity and estimating planned projects, these include monitoring project progress and evaluating the requirements coverage of COTS (Commercial off the shelf) packages.
Other software sizing methods include Use Case based software sizing, which relies on counting the number and characteristics of Use Cases found in a piece of software and COSMIC which addresses sizing software that has a very limited amount of stored data such as 'process control' and 'real time' systems.
Both the IFPUG Method and the COSMIC Method are ISO/IEC standards.
Several software quality standards mandate the use of a valid sizing method as part of the organization's standard software engineering life cycle. For instance, Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) poses such requirement. An organization cannot be appraised (certified) as CMMI level 2 or level 3 unless software sizing is adequately used.