Estimating the size of web applications by using a simplified function point method

Software size estimation is a key factor to determine the amount of time and effort needed to develop software systems, and the web applications are no exception. In this paper a simplified way of the IFPUG (International Function Point Users Group) function points based on the simplification ideas suggested by NESMA (Netherlands Software Metrics Association) to estimate size of management information systems is presented. In an empirical study, twenty web applications were analyzed. The estimates using the simplified method were close to the ones using the IFPUG detailed method. Based on the results, it was possible to establish a simplified method to estimate the size of web applications according to the development characteristics of the studied company.