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IFPUG’s ISMA 22 conference returns to Madrid: A Milestone in Software MeasurementRecommended reading

Oct, 11, 2024 | Read 5 min.

ISMA22 resume

We are very proud to have been the sponsor of ISMA 22, the prestigious conference organised by the International Function Point Users Group (IFPUG), which was held on 4 October at the Crowne Plaza Madrid Centre Retiro hotel. This event marked the return of ISMA to Madrid after a decade and was the first face-to-face edition since the pandemic, bringing together renowned software metrics specialists such as IBM, Galorath, Minsait, NTT Data and, of course, us, Quanter.

The central theme of the conference, ‘IT Value to the Business’, resonated with our commitment to improving the way organisations measure and manage their software projects. The conference comprehensively addressed the importance of software sizing metrics and their direct impact on efficiency, productivity and quality in technology projects.

Software metrics: the key to effective monitoring

During ISMA 22, we explored how software sizing metrics, especially those based on IFPUG methods, are essential for companies looking to measure the productivity of their teams and the quality of their applications, as well as ensuring accurate and competitive estimates.

For us at Quanter, accurate measurement is a fundamental pillar. We believe that you can’t manage what you can’t measure, and as a SaaS solution, we work to do just that: provide fast, accurate estimates based on natural language requirements. In an environment where accurate estimates can mean the difference between project success and failure, software metrics play a crucial role.

Artificial intelligence in the service of estimation: our commitment to innovation

One of the highlights was the presentation of our colleague Andrés Gutiérrez, GenAI consultant at LedaMC, who spoke about ‘Smart AI Estimation: Generating function point measurements from natural language requirements using AI’. This presentation highlighted how we have integrated generative artificial intelligence into Quanter, allowing any user to quickly transform natural language project requirements, regardless of language, into accurate estimates of effort and cost. This not only streamlines the estimation process, but also allows project managers to spend more time making strategic decisions, rather than spending hours on manual calculations.

As Andrés commented during his presentation, ‘With Quanter IA, we aim to deliver better estimates in less time, making it easier for project teams to focus on the decisions critical to the success of the project.’ This approach reflects our vision that, while AI will not replace professionals, those who use it will outperform those who don’t.

Our innovative approach has proven to be effective.

Benchmarking studies conducted by our teams have revealed that the speed of estimation is significantly improved with Quanter, allowing less experienced estimators to achieve up to eight-fold increases in capability compared to traditional methods. It is this type of digital transformation that motivates us to continue to evolve as a leading software metrics tool.

IT procurement in the EU: a promising future

Another session that stood out at ISMA 22 was presented by Christine Green, former president of IFPUG. In her talk, Green discussed the adoption of standardised methodologies in large-scale IT contracts within the European Union. The European Parliament’s 2020 recommendation to use function points (FP) and SNAP points is yet another example of how software metrics are becoming an indispensable standard for improving transparency and efficiency in complex IT projects.

We are proud that our tools, based on these internationally recognised metrics, are aligned with emerging trends in IT contracting. As Christine Green pointed out, the proper use of metrics ensures a balanced relationship between all parties involved in a project, and we aim to continue to provide solutions that foster this effective and equitable collaboration.

Expert panel: The future of software measurement

As part of our sponsorship at ISMA 22, we also had the opportunity to participate in the expert panel alongside representatives from companies such as DXC, Dedalus Group and Deloitte. During this discussion, we delved into the strategic role of software sizing in the innovation and profitability of organisations.

One of the key points addressed was how metrics enable technology leaders, such as CIOs, to strategically position themselves alongside CEOs, highlighting the value that IT brings to the business. At Quanter, we are convinced that accurate measurement not only helps manage software projects, but also creates opportunities to improve operational efficiency and maximise the return on IT investment.

In addition, we share our experience with benchmarking as a tool not only to unlock complex situations, but also to anticipate them. As one of the panellists said, ‘You cannot control what you cannot measure’. This philosophy is at the core of our value proposition, and we strive to help organisations take more rigorous and effective control of their projects.

Towards a more digital and measured future

The return of ISMA 22 to Madrid was not only an opportunity to reconnect with the international software metrics community, but also to reflect on the future of measurement and estimation in the technology space. We were honoured to have sponsored this event and to have had the opportunity to share our vision and experience with the attendees.

At Quanter, we remain committed to driving digital transformation in software project estimation, helping organisations achieve greater accuracy, speed and efficiency in their processes by aligning with industry best practice.

The future of software measurement is bright, and we are excited to be an active part of its evolution. As always, we will continue to work to deliver tools that bring real value to our customers, helping them to better manage their resources and maximise the impact of their technology projects.

With this article, we underline our pride in sponsoring ISMA 22 and being at the forefront of software estimation innovation with Quanter. We will continue to drive change in the industry and provide solutions that truly make a difference.

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