A Practical Approach to Software Quality (Hardcover, 2002 ed.)

Customers in the new millennium increasingly expect on-time delivery of high-quality software products for their needs. This focus on quality requires industries and organizations to define a reliable software development infrastructure conducive to consistently producing quality software. Only through a pragmatic software-quality strategy will companies be able to remain competitive and focused. "A Practical Approach to Software Quality" offers a comprehensive introduction to software quality and useful guidance on implementing a dependable quality system within an industry or organization. Written from a practitioner¿s viewpoint, the book explains the principles of software quality management and software process improvement. It reconciles theory with practice, supporting the fundamentals with description of current approaches of software engineers to build quality into software. Chapters address software inspections and testing, the ISO 9000 standard and the SPICE standard, the Capability Maturity Model, metrics and problem solving, and formal methods and design. Topics and features: * Inclusive presentation of central issues in software quality management * Provides in-depth material on using assessments to assist with organizational improvements; includes CMM, SPICE, and ISO 9000: 2000 * Detailed coverage of software process improvement * Broad discussion of software inspections and testing, including testing in an E-commerce environment * Presents software usability and usability standards (ISO 9241 and ISO 13407), as well as the SUMI methodology for assessing usability * Describes adaptable organization metrics and how the Balanced scorecard and GQM can assist organizations in identifying the right metrics With its accessible and concise style, and emphasis on the practical aspects of software-quality enhancement, this new book is an excellent resource for learning about the subject and its impact on organizations. Software engineering practitioners and professionals will find the book an essential tool, as will researchers and students seeking an introduction to the field.