TSE2101 Software Engineering Fundamentals

Tutorial 7 Solutions

Quality Concepts; Software Quality Assurance

1. Discuss how the quality of a software product can be determined.

Solution:
 Software quality can be defined as:
o An effective software process applied in a manner that creates a useful
product that provides measurable value for those who produce it
and those who use it.
 A useful product delivers the content, functions, and features that the end-
user desires.
 But as important, it delivers these assets in a reliable, error free way.
 A useful product always satisfies those requirements that have been explicitly
stated by stakeholders.
 In addition, it satisfies a set of implicit requirements (e.g., ease of use) that are
expected of all high quality software.
 More specifically, the quality of a software can be measured through
dimensions such as performance, features, reliability, conformance, durability,
serviceability, aesthetics, and perception.

2. Which is more important, to have a quality product or quality process? Discuss the
benefits of each and give a comparison.
Solution:
 The students are to discuss the main points of both quality product and quality
process, and assess which is more important. Ask what is a quality product.
How is it defined? Comparatively what is a quality process? Eventually
quality process will lead to quality product, though it may not be immediate.
More importantly is the control factor; the ability to correct and make changes
in the process as some quality products may not be produced in a systematic
way.

3. Explain the “Software Quality Dilemma” and what can be done to manage it.
Solution:
 If you produce a software system that has terrible quality, you lose because no
one will want to buy it.
 If on the other hand you spend infinite time, extremely large effort, and huge
sums of money to build the absolutely perfect piece of software, then it's
going to take so long to complete and it will be so expensive to produce that
you'll be out of business anyway.
 To manage it, we must be able to balance the required quality against the costs
– determine the “good enough” software that fulfils the requirements and with
acceptable costs

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4. What are Software Quality Assurance Activities?
Solution:
 Enforcement of Standards
 Reviews and Audits
 Software Testing
 Error/Defect Collection and Analysis
 Change Management
 Education
 Vendor Management
 Security Management
 Safety
 Risk Management

5. Explain whether having ISO certification would ensure that Software Quality
Assurance activities would be performed by an organization.
Solution:
 Having ISO certification ensures that there is a quality management system
 Most of SQA activities are requirements in ISO standards

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