This Guide provides counting guidelines for performing a Function Point Analysis to determine the size of Data Warehouse projects - from the source up to (and including) the reporting stage in an existing Data Warehouse environment.
The FPA is based on the definitions and rules of the FPA methodology as provided by NESMA and IFPUG, paying particular attention to the key principles involved when applying FPA to Data Warehouse projects.
This Guide assumes that the reader is familiar with FPA and its associated terminology and abbreviations, and with Data Warehousing. As there are different ways of thinking about Data Warehousing we have included in this document the approach used as the basis for these counting guidelines. See Appendix A – Data Warehousing Architecture Reference Model.
Each chapter on counting concludes with a brief summary of the results.
To be able to carry out a count, it is preferable to have a design document that includes the following:
For each component of the Data Warehouse, the ‘additional requirements’ needed to ensure that the count can be carried out on the basis of the design document have been made explicit and have been included at the end of each chapter.
Please refer to the three appendices for a summary of counting guidelines, a framework for Data Warehouses and an overview of the ‘additional requirements’.
The FPA method described in this publication has been put into practice by various leading companies and projects. Nevertheless, the NESMA does not claim that the methodology has been tested scientifically. Supplementary research and further practical use are needed in order to establish its usability.
By publishing the present document, ‘FPA applied to Data Warehousing’, NESMA seeks to help advance understanding of the application of FPA counting guidelines in other environments. NESMA cannot be held responsible for the use of this publication, nor for the results obtained from using it.
The approach is universally applicable, so can be used in conjunction with the NESMA Counting Practices Manual, the IFPUG Counting Practices Manual as well as with any other Functional Sizing Method.
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History of this document:
version 1.0 (2006): First release in Dutch language
version 1.1 (2008): Enhanced version; English and Dutch
NESMA welcomes your comments on the document, information about your experience of using it, and any suggested additions or improvements. Please contact NESMA via: office@nesma.nl
The Guide is also available in Dutch.
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