Good news for the industry: IFPUG SNAP (Software Non-functional Assessment Process) has just been published as a new ISO/IEC standard. What does that mean for the software industry? We tell you all about it.
At LedaMC we have always considered the software product to be king. And as such, measuring the size of a project has always been key to managing costs, estimating effort and deadlines, and ensuring quality. When we faced this measurement, we found different standards that helped us measure the functional size of the software, such as the IFPUG, NESMA or COSMIC Function Points. But what about non-functional requirements? They had to be valued, but there was a void to do so that was filled in the best way possible.
In response to this problem, IFPUG developed the SNAP methodology a few years ago to perform this non-functional measurement and establish a relationship between the non-functional size and the effort required to develop it. And now, with the publication of the ISO/IEC/IEEE 32430:2025 standard, this gap is officially filled. This new standard makes SNAP a global benchmark for measuring software size beyond user-visible functionalities. And this has big implications for the industry.
The importance of measuring non-functional requirements
If you’ve ever been involved in a software project, you’ll know that visible features (what the user can do) are only part of the story. Security, performance, compatibility with other systems, user experience, and many other so-called non-functional aspects are just as essential, but have traditionally been more difficult to measure.
This is where SNAP comes into play. With SNAP it is possible to quantify the effort associated with these non-functional requirements, allowing:
- Better estimates of time and effort on projects.
- Greater accuracy in resource planning.
- Identification of areas for improvement in software quality.
- More effective management of contracts and suppliers, ensuring that all the effort required is taken into account.
It is evident that measuring non-functional requirements helps companies make better decisions and reduce risks in their projects. And now, with SNAP becoming a standard, not only is effort and cost estimates more accurate, but software quality is optimized by focusing on safety and performance, and provides a common language that facilitates communication between teams. And it should not be forgotten, in addition, that having a standard allows the industry to compare projects objectively, promoting continuous improvement in software development.
Our experience with SNAP and non-functional measurement
At LedaMC we have been working with SNAP for years, taking advantage of the fact that it allowed us to obtain a total measurement of the software product. In fact, we are the Spanish consultancy with the most SNAP Certified Consultants (CSS), and we have applied this approach in a multitude of projects.
Our experience has shown us that SNAP not only adds value to project estimating, but also helps our clients better control their costs and improve productivity. And with its consolidation as an ISO standard, its adoption in the industry will be increasing.
A step forward for the software industry
The publication of SNAP as an ISO/IEC standard is a major step forward for software measurement, as it allows a more complete view of the real effort involved in development.
At LedaMC we can help companies apply SNAP in their projects and train the professionals who will lead this evolution through our Academy. If you want to be prepared for the changes that this new standard in software management will bring, this is your chance. Ready to take the next step in software project management?
Photo by Call Me Fred at Unsplash
