Introduction to Quality Assurance

• Defining the purpose of Software Quality Assurance (SQA)
• The Software Process Framework
• Recognising the responsibilities of SQA

Planning for SQA

Analysing life cycles and methodologies

• Contrasting traditional and agile life cycles
• Differentiating SQA activities based on chosen life cycle and methodology
• Applying SQA tasks to typical phases within a life cycle

Identifying the activities involved

• Aligning SQA with the organisational quality system
• Defining the roles and responsibilities within SQA
• Implementing best practices and industry standards

Creating the SQA plan: the road map for quality

• Choosing the right industry practices for your organisation
• IEEE
• CMMI
• ISO 9001
• Developing a workable plan for quality products

Implementing Verification and Validation Approaches

Applying static verification techniques for error detection

• Defining verification and software testing
• Analysing life cycle products
• Conducting reviews

Implementing dynamic validation methods

• Validating the tests product requirements and functionality
• Defining the test phases: Unit, Integration, System and Acceptance

Detecting defects while applying inspection techniques

• Defining the inspection process
• Conducting an inspection
• Communicating inspection results

Applying Configuration Management (CM)

Defining the components of a CM system

• Identifying work products
• Managing and controlling products for consistency
• Assessing and managing components with release management
• Communicating product status using reports

Ensuring quality by controlling CM components

• Verifying software and hardware components
• Maintaining test data for regression tests
• Tracking change requests

Auditing the Software Process

Initiating the auditing process

• Planning, preparing for and conducting the audit
• Reporting the results

Assessing compliance to ensure quality processes

• Complying with industry standards and models: ISO 9001 and CMMI
• Comparing the work products against industry benchmarks

Delivering quality with configuration audits

• Demonstrating the product satisfies the requirements
• Ensuring operational suitability

Improving productivity using in-process audits

• Assessing internal processes for compliance
• Analysing processes and procedures used during development

Continuous Process Improvement

Fostering learning through process improvement

• Defining and implementing process improvement
• Planning process improvement initiatives

Achieving excellence through metrics

• Selecting and analysing metrics
• Analysing data through root cause analysis
• Communicating organisational progress

Coordinating the next steps

• Networking through process improvement organisations
• Leveraging technology innovations