1. Function of Software Quality
Assurance
By Mr. Fazal Wahab

2. The SQA Function
 The critical challenge for any quality program is to
devise a mechanism for enabling independent
reviews of the work done by others.
 The need is to focus on SQA methods
 SQA activities includes Auditing and Reviews in
addition to walkthroughs and process checks.
 Quality Assurance function is what is required to
establish a strong quality program in an organization.

3. The SQA Function
 It includes:
– Knowledge of statistical methods
– Quality control principles
– The software process and
– An ability to deal effectively with people
 The role of Software Quality assurance to do
the tracking of activities.

4. The SQA Function
 Before establishing an SQA function it is
essential to first decide how important
software quality is to the organization
– Is it more important than meeting a critical
delivery schedule?
– How much “Quality” is important?
– Should the product be delayed to fix 1 more bug,
or 10 more or 100 more.

5. Establishing a Quality Assurance
Program in the organization
 The following must be ensured:
– An appropriate development methodology is in place.
– The projects use standards and procedures in their work
– Independent review and audits are conducted
– Documentation is produced to support maintenance and
enhancement
– The documentation produced during and not after
development
– Mechanisms are in place and used to control changes
– Testing emphasizes all the high-risk product areas

6. Establishing a Quality Assurance
Program in the organization
– Each software task is satisfactorily completed
before the succeeding one is begun. (Phase end
inspection)
– Deviations from standards and procedures are
exposed as soon as possible (Waivers and
Deviations)
– The quality control work is itself performed
against establishment standards
– The SQA plan and the software development plan
are compatible.

7. The Benefits of SQA Function
 SQA is used in two contexts:
– As a role (Software Quality Analyst)
– And a function (Software Quality Assurance)
 Enforcement of Project management Standards:
– 76 % of the projects were successful
 Enforcement of Development Standards
– IBM reported Software quality improvement of three to five
times over an eight-years period.
 SQA function is found increasingly advantageous,
from both product quality and cost-effectiveness
standpoints.

8. Objectives and Needs for SQA
Function
 To improve software quality by appropriate
monitoring both the software and the
development process that produces it.
 To ensure full compliance with the
established standards
 To ensure that any inadequacies in the
product, the process, of the standards are
brought to management attentions so these
inadequacies can be fixed.