IFPUG maintains the Function Point Counting Practices Manual (CPM), and the SNAP Assessment Practices Manual, the recognized industry standards for
functional and
non-functional sizing. IFPUG provides testing and certification for the Certified Function Point Specialist (CFPS), the Certified Function Point Practitioner (CFPP), and the Certified SNAP Practitioner (CSP). Generally, certification is for three years although the CFPS has a certification extension program. IFPUG offers
individual,
corporate,
countrywide, worldwide, and
academic memberships spanning six continents. The annual International Software Measurement & Analysis (ISMA) conferences, access to standards documents, certification support, white papers, the semi-annually produced MetricViews, and educational events represent some of the membership benefits. Several national governments have adopted the use of functional sizing as a prerequisite for bidding on their contracts. Functional sizing can also contribute to determining the level of effort warranted once an application is deployed. The IFPUG membership, functional and non-functional assets and certifications, and IFPUG partners assist in fulfilling IFPUG's mission: to be the recognized leader in promoting and encouraging the effective management of application software development and maintenance activities through the use of software product and process metrics. ==See also==