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What's New in Release 7

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Summary Counts and the Approximator

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Now you can also record Summary counts in the Workbencgh Repository. In previous Workbench releases all counts were recorded at a Detailed level where every attempt is made to identify and assign Function Type and Complexity to each unique Transaction and Data Function Type. In contrast a Summary count does not require individual  Logical Files and Trasactions.

Four Summary Levels are available. The method used to assess the Value Adjustment Factor is also recorded. 

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 This ability to record Summary counts is especially useful for approximated Application Baseline count and early project lifecycle “order of magnitude”.  These counts have their own reporting and, importantly, participate in the Portfolio Reporting.

 

Approximate Summary Counts 

Closely coupled with the Summary Counts is the ability to approximate Function Point counts from data about the physical artifacts associated with the software being sized. This includes, for example, numbers of screen, interfaces, reports and so on.  The Function Point count can be passed directly into a Summary count.

This is a partial snapshot of the Approximator dialog, illustrating the type of data input.

 

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Seamless Integration with QPMG’s Software Management Reporting (SMR)

Projects sized in the WORKBENCH can now quickly and easily participate in benchmark reporting. When a project is completed, the relevant counts for the project are pushed into QPMG’s Software Management Reporting (SMR) where they are combined with the project’s effort, schedule and cost data. SMR then delivers project benchmark reports instantly as Word documents and other formats.

This level of integration means that everyone everywhere has the ability to record project size at project milestones and benchmark performance comparisons in one single painless process.

 

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Faster and Smarter Counting

List Sorting

Sort lists on column headings. Select the order you wish to work with.

Find / Filter Functions on Long Lists

Use a Find / Filter on long lists makes entries easy to locate. 

Transaction Hierarchy as a List

Transform the Hierarchy into a list for fast Find or Filtering.  Flag hierarchy nodes from this list. Go directly to flagged nodes in the Hierarchy. 

Size a group of Transactions directly in this list.

Exit from Search and Highlight Directly into Transaction and Component List

From Search and Highlight, list matched Transactions and Components.

Pasting of Notes

Bulk insert Notes directly into the Notes List. For example, paste the Table of Contents from your Reference Document directly into your Notes List and link the appropriate reference directly to your Transactions or Files.

Import XML Format Count

Import XML Counts into the WORKBENCH.

Enhanced Count File List

See all Count Data for your Files in the Count File List. Use shortcut context menu to assign Data Function Type, Complexity, Multiplier and Enhancement Type to Files directly in this list. Insert Files from External Data Sources directly into this list. See whether there is a Note attached and go directly to view.

Size a group of Files by selecting them in this list.

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Enhanced Method of Recording Data Function Type

Explicitly select the Data Function Type or choose to derive the Type from the way the Transactions use the Files.

The contribution of the Logical File to the count or count view will now consistently use the Function Point value as it appears in this list.

 

Publisher Enhancements

WORKBENCH / Publisher Connection

Publish Count Reports from the Workbench.  Publisher will open immediately, referencing your Count for reporting.

 

More Languages

Publish reports in English, German, Korean, Italian and Portuguese. Additional languages can be added on request.

 

More Report Formats

Publish reports as:

MSWord document – Easy to blend into your own documents. Published in continuous format (one set of headings, continuous body text and one set of footers) ready to take up your styling, formatted into tables where appropriate. Easy to edit.

MSExcel document – Open in Excel for further analysis. Published in a continuous format.

HTML format - View with standard browser. View from remote locations.

MHTML format – Include the hierarchy diagram, complete with active flyover, in your reports as a concise embedded object and click - open to browse.  Publish on your Intranet. Email to clients.

 

New Reports

Some of the new reports are:

• Transaction Details (Condensed Format)
• File Details (Condensed Format)
• Notes List
• Labels List
• Functions to Notes Cross-Reference
• Functions to Notes Cross-Reference (Details)
• Notes to Functions Cross-Reference
• Notes to Functions Cross-Reference (Details)
• Transactions to Files Cross-Reference
• Transactions to Files Cross-Reference (Details)
• Files to Transactions Cross-Reference
• Files to Transactions Cross-Reference (Details)
• Baseline Transaction and File List
• Baseline Function Point Summary
• Use Case Summary
• Use Case and Actor List