PROJECT BENCHMARK REPORTS

An organization can compare the performance of a software project to similar projects in the International Software Benchmarking Standards Group (ISBSG) repository. The following paragraphs describe the process to follow. There is no charge for this service, other than permission to add the data submitted to the ISBSG repository.

Submitting a Project to ISBSG and Receiving a Project Benchmark Report (PBR)
You can submit project data to the International Software Benchmarking Standards Group Ltd. (ISBSG) and receive a Project Benchmark Report (PBR), which is returned via email or regular mail. The PBR compares the submitted project against similar projects in the ISBSG Repository.

For example, assume your project has the following characteristics:

	Development Platform = Mid-range		Methodology = Developed in-house
	Language Type = 4GL		Maximum Team size > 8

Further, assume your Project Delivery Rate (PDR) was 10.0 hours per Function Point

Given these parameters, you would receive a PBR, which would include the following table with your PDR shown in bold type.

Also, for the two factors with the most significant impact on productivity, Development Platform and Language Type, a chart is prepared showing how your Project Delivery Rate compares to projects with the same Development Platform and Language Type.

In this a way business can, for little out-of-pocket cost and minimal effort, benchmark their projects against similar projects from other organizations. This service is offered for free to companies that submit their projects for inclusion in the ISBSG Repository.

Submitting Project Data
Project data is collected and analyzed using a standard set of forms and procedures developed by ISBSG. The forms and procedures define the type of data to be collected (e.g., functional size, work-effort, duration, and various attributes of the project). They also define how the data will be validated, stored and published so as to guarantee the integrity of the data and the confidentiality of the submitting organization. Many of these procedures and definitions are implicitly contained in the data collection and submission tool, Venturi, which has been developed to assist in the collection and submission of data.

Submitting data is a three-step process:

	Obtain the Venturi Data Collection Package. Click here to download a free copy of Venturi from the ISBSG website. If you experience problems or require the software on diskette, contact the IFPUG Office for assistance.
	Enter the data for your project. The IFPUG Benchmark data collection forms can be completed in approximately 30 to 45 minutes, if you have the information readily available. If you choose to submit data for several projects, the time to enter data for the second and subsequent projects is usually less than 15 minutes. The types of information you will asked to provide are:
	•	Baseline Function Point data for the completed project (new or enhancement) – required data
	•	Project work-effort data (hours charged to the project) – required data.
	•	Post-Implementation (after 30 days) defect data – optional.
	•	Project estimating data – optional.
	•	Project and environment characteristics – some optional, some required.
	Transmit the data to ISBSG. The Venturi Data Collection Package has an export function, which will allow you to export the data you entered. This export file (stored in an ASCII format) can then be attached to an E-mail message and submitted for inclusion in the ISBSG Repository through the Internet (e.g., using CompuServe) to the ISBSG Repository Registrar (current address will be found in Venturi). The subject line should say ISBSG Benchmarking Repository Submission. Please note that ISBSG cannot guarantee the security of the transmission. However, following receipt of the file normal ISBSG security and confidentiality will apply.

	As an ASCII file (exported from Venturi) on a 3.5" diskette; or
	In Hard Copy using the Paper Forms.

In either case, mail the diskette or forms to the IFPUG Office (Attention: IT Performance Committee), or directly to the ISBSG Repository Registrar in Australia (the current address will be found in Venturi).

Once received, the information identifying the contributor will be removed from and filed separately. The data will then go through a validation process. If it does not pass the validation process, clarification will be requested through the IFPUG Office. When it completes the validation process, a Project Benchmark Report will be generated and forwarded to the contributor.

Confidentiality of Contributors
The confidentiality of organizations contributing project data is protected through a series of measures:

	All personnel with access to the data are required to adhere to a signed confidentiality agreement.
	The data collection formats, from the Venturi software to the paper forms, are designed so that the section that contains information identifying the contributing organization can be easily removed. Once the project data is received, an internal project number is assigned to both the contributor information and the project data. The two sections are then separated and stored separately and securely.
	Data is not included in reports unless there are enough contributing organizations to mask the identity of all contributors.