  This paper proposes a new metric for software functional size, which is
derived from Function Point Analysis (FPA), but overcomes some of its known
defi- ciencies. The statistical results show that the new metric, Functional
Elements (EF), and its submetric, Functional Elements of Transaction (EFt),
have higher correlation with the effort in software development than FPA in the
context of the analyzed data. The paper illustrates the application of the new
metric as a tool to improve IT governance specifically in assessment,
monitoring, and giving directions to the software development area.
