Detailed Analysis and Tracking using Notes and Attributes

Profiling and Filtering Counts-Filters and Flags

If you need to further document the functionality of your software then you can create Notes, and then link the Notes to one or many nodes on the other trees.

You can selectively report on all Process and Data nodes linked to a particular Note or group of Notes.

(see Flags and Filters)

Functionality can be selectively reported based on its characteristics. You can set up any number of types of characteristics or Attributes on which you would like to profile the software. Once you have created a Note or an Attribute they can be linked to any node on any other Tree but their own.

Select the Notes tab at the top of the screen to open the Notes Tree. Similar types of Notes can be grouped into Note Sets for easy access and selective reporting. First insert a Note Set (Alt+Ins) and give it a collective name. For example you may want to use the Notes to record function point counting assumptions. Name the Note Set “FPA Assumptions” and then insert a Note (Ins) to record each assumption. You may want to further group these assumptions into ones that you have checked and ones that need checking. In that case create a Set called “Checked” and “Not Checked” under the Set called “FPA Assumptions”. Then insert your Notes under the appropriate parent Set. When you have created your Note, select Link mode to Link the Note to the Processes or Data Groups about which the assumption has been made. Notes may also be linked to Attributes.

Other suggestions for Notes Sets could be:

• Questions – to record questions you need to clarify with the application’s experts
• Specification – to record your specifications for change requests, business rules etc in a note which could be linked to the relevant Process
• Errors – to record software bugs noted for each Process and data group. The severity level could be further classified using an Attribute called Severity Level
• List of Physical Files - to cross reference to logical files. This is particularly useful when validating someone else's counts or when the users identify a physical file they need changed for an enhancement, it allows easy identification of the corresponding Logical File.

Hint: it is easier to locate the Note Tree on the LH side if you want to link a single Note to many Processes, Data Groups or Attributes. Right click on the parent node of the group you want link on the RH screen, select Link, Set All and all child nodes will be automatically linked.

How are Attributes different to Notes?