Software Quality Assurance
Software Quality Assurance
Software Quality Assurance (SQA) is simply a way to assure quality in the software. It is the set
of activities which ensure processes, procedures as well as standards are suitable for the project
and implemented correctly.
Software Quality Assurance is a process which works parallel to development of software. It
focuses on improving the process of development of software so that problems can be prevented
before they become a major issue. Software Quality Assurance is a kind of Umbrella activity that
is applied throughout the software process.
Generally, the quality of the software is verified by the third-party organization like international
standard organizations.
Software Quality Assurance (SQA) encompasses
SQA process
specific quality assurance and quality control tasks (including technical
reviews and a multitiered testing strategy)
effective software engineering practice (methods and tools)
control of all software work products and the changes made to them
a procedure to ensure compliance with software development standards
(when applicable)
measurement and reporting mechanisms
Elements Of Software Quality Assurance:
3. Testing: Software testing is a quality control function that has one primary
goal—to find errors. The job of SQA is to ensure that testing is properly
planned and efficiently conducted for primary goal of software.
4. Error/defect collection and analysis: SQA collects and analyzes error and
defect data to better understand how errors are introduced and what
software engineering activities are best suited to eliminating them.
5. Change management: SQA ensures that adequate change management
practices have been instituted.
6. Education: Every software organization wants to improve its software
engineering practices. A key contributor to improvement is education of
software engineers, their managers, and other stakeholders. The SQA
organization takes the lead in software process improvement which is key
proponent and sponsor of educational programs.
7. Security management: SQA ensures that appropriate process and technology
are used to achieve software security.
8. Safety: SQA may be responsible for assessing the impact of software failure
and for initiating those steps required to reduce risk.
9. Risk management: The SQA organization ensures that risk management
activities are properly conducted and that risk-related contingency plans
have been established.