achieving software quality through teamwork

[...]... the issues of software quality through an emphasis on teamwork and communication set in a framework aligned with the customers, their organizations, and their goals To help achieve this goal, Achieving Software Quality through Teamwork answers the following questions: ◗ Who should be involved in the development and deployment of software? People are going to work in teams to provide the software, so... xxiii CHAPTER 1 Contents Software Quality Matters 1.1 Defining software quality 1.2 Fundamental concepts of excellence In this chapter I shall: ◗ Demonstrate that there is no universal definition of quality: it varies with people and situation; ◗ Offer several definitions of quality; ◗ Show why it is necessary for all stakeholders in the software to agree on what they mean by quality ; ◗ Introduce some... of quality 1.1 Defining software quality Let us start looking at quality by examining the story above What do the trainer’s frustrations reveal about our views of quality? 1 The delivered software includes other products and services as well as code; the people buying and using software do not just need the code, they also need services and products such as training, user guides, and support 1 2 Software. .. 1.1 Defining software quality 3 Two definitions of quality favored by IT people are the product-based and the manufacturing-based definitions In projects, we favor definitions that allow us to measure progress and success in delivery We want to fix quality to something that is deliverable and measurable ◗ In the product-based definition, quality is based on a well-defined set of software quality attributes... developing the software In Chapters 2 to 7, we will explore the different groups and which quality definitions they favor, and then, in Chapters 8 to 12, we will look at how the different groups contribute 1.2 Fundamental concepts of excellence 5 throughout the life of software and systems, and the benefits that each quality view brings Whichever definition(s) of quality we use—that of software users... different stakeholders To help us do this, I will use the concepts throughout the book, to encourage a teamwork approach and allow all five quality definitions Some quality models define quality processes for an individual to use, some are for teams, and some for organizations The coverage of the quality definitions and the emphasis on teamwork varies across the models In this book, I will use a selection... organizational processes, teamwork and communication are encouraged so that quality is achieved ◗ How can IT suppliers understand the goals of their client organizations, whether nonprofit or commercial businesses, and how they measure success? IT suppliers must have an understanding of the quality framework used by their customers in order to produce quality software IT teamwork means including the... of quality concepts used throughout the book ◗ Chapter 2 provides an overview of the groups discussed in Chapters 3 to 7 ◗ Chapter 8 provides an overview of the software life span described in Chapters 9 to 12 Chapter 1 sets out some ideas and definitions that are used throughout the book Read this chapter first, as the ideas introduced are used throughout the book I describe five definitions of quality. .. people losing their jobs would take a decidedly different view about whether a quality solution had been delivered We will find throughout this book that different people give different definitions if we ask them what they mean by quality When I ask people working with software as users or on software development projects what quality means, all sorts of ideas emerge Some might mention cost, time, scope,... producing quality software is a technical activity, but software is produced by people, complete with talents and abilities, but also personalities, idiosyncracies, foibles, and emotions, and these people produce IT systems in teams, where the roles and perspectives of each team can differ significantly, especially about what constitutes quality If every person has a different view of what quality is, . alt="" Achieving Software Quality through Teamwork For a listing of recent titles in the Artech House Computing Library, turn to the back of this book. Achieving Software Quality through Teamwork Isabel. in Publication Data Evans, Isabel Achieving software quality through teamwork. —(Artech House computing library) 1. Computer software Quality control 2. Computer software Development—Management 3 soft - ware quality through an emphasis on teamwork and communication set in a framework aligned with the customers, their organizations, and their goals. To help achieve this goal, Achieving Software Quality