Functional Performance Metric as Effort Prediction

The paper proposes a complexity metric based on functional performances. It extends the function point metric to systems processing matter or energy in addition to information. The evaluation method applies to both tangible and logical flows, as they appear in a functional analysis of the system seen as a black box. A coffee machine illustrates the application of the metric and the paper goes through the steps of the evaluation. Potential extensions, known limitations, and constraints of application are briefly discussed.