Software quality assurance
Encyclopedia
Software quality assurance (SQA) consists of a means of monitoring the software engineering
processes and methods used to ensure quality. The methods by which this is accomplished are many and varied, and may include ensuring conformance to one or more standards, such as ISO 9000
or a model such as CMMI.
process, which includes processes such as requirements definition, software design
, coding
, source code control
, code review
s, change management
, configuration management
, testing
, release management
, and product integration. SQA is organized into goals, commitments, abilities, activities, measurements, and verifications.
The American Society for Quality
offers a Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) certification with exams held a minimum of twice a year.
Software engineering
Software Engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software, and the study of these approaches; that is, the application of engineering to software...
processes and methods used to ensure quality. The methods by which this is accomplished are many and varied, and may include ensuring conformance to one or more standards, such as ISO 9000
ISO 9000
The ISO 9000 family of standards relates to quality management systems and is designed to help organizations ensure they meet the needs of customers and other stakeholders . The standards are published by ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, and available through National...
or a model such as CMMI.
Overview
SQA encompasses the entire software developmentSoftware development
Software development is the development of a software product...
process, which includes processes such as requirements definition, software design
Software design
Software design is a process of problem solving and planning for a software solution. After the purpose and specifications of software are determined, software developers will design or employ designers to develop a plan for a solution...
, coding
Coding
Coding may refer to:* Channel coding in coding theory* Line coding* Computer programming, the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging / troubleshooting, and maintaining the source code of computer programs...
, source code control
Revision control
Revision control, also known as version control and source control , is the management of changes to documents, programs, and other information stored as computer files. It is most commonly used in software development, where a team of people may change the same files...
, code review
Code review
Code review is systematic examination of computer source code. It is intended to find and fix mistakes overlooked in the initial development phase, improving both the overall quality of software and the developers' skills...
s, change management
Change management
Change management is a structured approach to shifting/transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations from a current state to a desired future state. It is an organizational process aimed at helping employees to accept and embrace changes in their current business environment....
, configuration management
Configuration management
Configuration management is a field of management that focuses on establishing and maintaining consistency of a system or product's performance and its functional and physical attributes with its requirements, design, and operational information throughout its life.For information assurance, CM...
, testing
Software testing
Software testing is an investigation conducted to provide stakeholders with information about the quality of the product or service under test. Software testing can also provide an objective, independent view of the software to allow the business to appreciate and understand the risks of software...
, release management
Release management
The release management process is a relatively new but rapidly growing discipline within software engineering of managing software releases....
, and product integration. SQA is organized into goals, commitments, abilities, activities, measurements, and verifications.
The American Society for Quality
American Society for Quality
American Society for Quality , formerly known as American Society for Quality Control , is a knowledge-based global community of quality control experts, with nearly 85,000 members dedicated to the promotion and advancement of quality tools, principles, and practices in their workplaces and in...
offers a Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) certification with exams held a minimum of twice a year.
See also
- Software assuranceSoftware AssuranceSoftware assurance is defined as “the level of confidence that software is free from vulnerabilities, either intentionally designed into the software or accidentally inserted at anytime during its lifecycle, and that the software functions in the intended manner.”The main objective of software...
- Quality assuranceQuality AssuranceQuality assurance, or QA for short, is the systematic monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of a project, service or facility to maximize the probability that minimum standards of quality are being attained by the production process...
- Software qualitySoftware qualityIn the context of software engineering, software quality refers to two related but distinct notions that exist wherever quality is defined in a business context:...
- Software quality managementSoftware quality management- Definitions : The aim of Software Quality Management is to manage the quality of software and of its development process. A quality product is one which meets its requirements and satisfies the user...
- Squale
- Software Quality ModelSoftware Quality ModelSoftware quality can be defined as 'conformance to requirements' and/or 'fitness of use'. Quality achievements start with a clear definition of what "quality of source code" means to the organization or project...
- Software Quality Analyst