Construção e validação de um instrumento para contratar a terceirização de desenvolvimento de sistemas utilizando pontos de função como moeda

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to obtain an adequate hiring process for the systems development outsourcing, to obtain a fair precification for the job, through a more precise quantification of the necessary efforts involved, aiming to avoid constant pricing reviews coming from changes in the efforts forecasted at thebeginning. The research's key point was the building of an instrument allowing the perfect identification of most expressive issues to be outlined in a request for system development, then making contracts handling a routine in accordance with international standards. After reviewing many of the existing software metrics, the research led to the adequacy of the FPA (Function Point Analysis) in the contractors / users relationship handling, considering that it is internationally accepted for being an ISO regulation and it is in accordance with the requirements of another ISO regulation, regarding to Functional Size Measurement. One of the research's achievements was that the FPA use allows a better evaluation of the bids offered by suppliers, favoring an hiring with fair price and avoiding contract reviews that very often led to undesirable price reviews. Concerning to the methodology, 3 pre-tests were prepared using a small and selected sample constituted by professionals, in both developing systems and outsourcing areas. These professionals were skilled in metrics. Based on the pre-test results, a questionnaire was prepared, containing 16 questions to be answered by a group of professionals, with skills very alike of those in the pre-test answerers. Answers were given through marking one out of five alternatives according to Likert Scale. The resulting data were evaluated using the SPSS software, base 10.0 and analyzing 16 answers frequency. Both Factorial and Discriminant Analysis were used. To make the research more relevant, other statistical data were analyzed to verify the answerer's conditions, if contractor or user, and the impact of the time working in the system area and the job position in the answers. As result of the research, relevant issues to be considered in an outsourcing contract could be observed, being the main one the existence of a metric to enhance transparency and objectivity involving contractors/users relationship and leading to the most adequate price.