View in EDS

Automated COSMIC Function Point measurement using a requirements engineering ontology.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Automated COSMIC Function Point measurement using a requirements engineering ontology.
Authors: Bagriyanik, Selami1,2 selami.bagriyanik@turkcell.com.tr, Karahoca, Adem2 adem.karahoca@eng.bahcesehir.edu.tr
Source: Information & Software Technology. Apr2016, Vol. 72, p189-203. 15p.
Subjects: Function point analysis, Automation, Requirements engineering, Ontology, Computer software industry, Information & communication technologies, Telecommunication
Geographic Terms: Turkey
Abstract: Context There are two interrelated difficulties in requirements engineering processes. First, free-format modelling practices in requirements engineering activities may lead to low quality artefacts and productivity problems. Second, the COSMIC Function Point Method is not yet widespread in the software industry because applying measurement rules to imprecise and ambiguous textual requirements is difficult and requires additional human measurement effort. This challenge is common to all functional size measurement methods. Objective In this study, alternative solutions have been investigated to address these two difficulties. Information created during the requirements engineering process is formalized as an ontology that also becomes a convenient model for transforming requirements into COSMIC Function Point Method concepts. Method A method is proposed to automatically measure the functional size of software by using the designed ontology. The proposed method has been implemented as a software application and verified with real projects conducted within the ICT department of a leading telecommunications provider in Turkey. Results We demonstrated a novel method to measure the functional size of software in COSMIC FP automatically. It is based on a newly developed requirements engineering ontology. Our proposed method has several advantages over other methods explored in previous research. Conclusion Manual and automated measurement results are in agreement, and the tool is promising for the company under study and for the industry at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Information & Software Technology is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Context There are two interrelated difficulties in requirements engineering processes. First, free-format modelling practices in requirements engineering activities may lead to low quality artefacts and productivity problems. Second, the COSMIC Function Point Method is not yet widespread in the software industry because applying measurement rules to imprecise and ambiguous textual requirements is difficult and requires additional human measurement effort. This challenge is common to all functional size measurement methods. Objective In this study, alternative solutions have been investigated to address these two difficulties. Information created during the requirements engineering process is formalized as an ontology that also becomes a convenient model for transforming requirements into COSMIC Function Point Method concepts. Method A method is proposed to automatically measure the functional size of software by using the designed ontology. The proposed method has been implemented as a software application and verified with real projects conducted within the ICT department of a leading telecommunications provider in Turkey. Results We demonstrated a novel method to measure the functional size of software in COSMIC FP automatically. It is based on a newly developed requirements engineering ontology. Our proposed method has several advantages over other methods explored in previous research. Conclusion Manual and automated measurement results are in agreement, and the tool is promising for the company under study and for the industry at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:09505849
DOI:10.1016/j.infsof.2015.12.011