Software quality according to ISO standard

Tool for good software quality

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What is software quality and how can it be measured?

Software quality refers to all properties and characteristics of software that (should) meet the requirements and expectations of users and stakeholders. These are aspects such as reliability, efficiency, user-friendliness, maintainability, security and many more.

An end-to-end software test can cover much of this. Read more about this in the fourth section "What is the most important tool for good software quality".

High-quality software is characterized by low susceptibility to errors, stability and high performance, while at the same time meeting the needs and expectations of users. The definition of software quality can vary depending on the context, as different projects and industries may have different requirements and priorities. Overall, however, software quality is a critical factor for success and user satisfaction and should therefore be carefully considered throughout the software development process.

Measuring software quality is a crucial aspect in the development and evaluation of software products. There are various approaches and metrics for evaluating the quality of software. One common method is the use of metrics for code quality, such as the number of errors (bugs), code complexity or test coverage.

Customer feedback, user satisfaction and the fulfillment of functional requirements can also be important indicators of software quality. However, it is important to note that the measurement of software quality should not be based solely on quantitative metrics, but should also take into account qualitative aspects such as user-friendliness, reliability and performance.

Software quality according to ISO standard

Software quality according to ISO standards is a decisive factor for the development and use of software in various industries. The ISO standards, in particular the ISO 25000 series, establish comprehensive guidelines and standards to ensure that software products are reliable, efficient and error-free.

Compliance with these standards enables companies to develop and deliver high-quality software products that meet their customers' requirements while minimizing the risk of software errors and failures.

imbus loves ISO! Find out more about our expertise in ISO standards.

What are characteristics of software quality?

Software quality encompasses a variety of characteristics that determine how good a software is in terms of its functions, performance and user satisfaction. Here are a few examples:

  • Functionality: This characteristic refers to whether the software fulfills all required functions and whether it works correctly and reliably. The software should perform the intended tasks and have no unexpected errors.
  • Reliability: Reliable software performs tasks consistently and without errors. It should not cause unexpected crashes or failures and should remain stable under load.
  • Ease of use: User-friendly software is easy to learn and operate. It should provide a clear user interface, understandable menus and instructions to increase user efficiency and satisfaction.
  • Efficiency: Efficient software uses resources such as CPU, memory and network bandwidth sparingly. It should complete tasks quickly and without excessive resource consumption.
  • Maintainability: Maintainable software is easy to update, extend and repair. It should be well documented and designed so that developers can easily make changes and improvements.
  • Portability: Portability refers to the ability of the software to run on different platforms and operating systems without the need for major customization.
  • Security: Security features are critical to protect data and systems from threats and attacks. The software should offer robust security mechanisms and encryption features.
  • Scalability: Scalable software can adapt to increasing requirements and loads without compromising performance. This is particularly important for software in large companies or web applications.
  • Interoperability: Interoperability enables the software to communicate and exchange data seamlessly with other systems and applications.
  • Documentation: Comprehensive documentation that includes instructions, manuals and help information is important so that users and developers can use the software effectively.
  • Compliance: Software quality may also comply with certain industry or regulatory standards, depending on the requirements and scope of the software.

These features are interrelated and influence each other. High software quality takes all these aspects into account and ensures that the software meets the requirements of the users and the organization.

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What is the most important tool for good software quality?

Software testing throughout the development cycle?

A well-thought-out software development process is a prerequisite for ensuring software quality. This process includes best practices such as requirements analysis, planning, design, implementation, software testing, review and maintenance. A structured process lays the foundation for compliance with quality standards and enables errors to be identified and rectified at an early stage.

In addition to a solid development process, automated test procedures and tools are crucial. These help to check the code for errors, measure code coverage and carry out performance analyses. Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) are also important tools to ensure that changes in the code are continuously and automatically tested and deployed.

The most important instrument for ensuring good software quality is therefore end-to-end software testing throughout the entire development cycle. This means that testing should not be seen as an isolated phase at the end of the project, but must be integrated into the development process from the very beginning. This approach is often referred to as "testing during the entire life cycle" or "continuous testing". It makes it possible to identify and fix potential problems and errors at an early stage, which ultimately saves time and resources and significantly improves the quality of the software.  Through continuous testing, developers can ensure that every code change is thoroughly checked and meets the defined quality standards in the field of software testing, resulting in more stable, reliable and user-friendly software products.

In addition, quality management plays an important role by defining quality objectives, performing monitoring and evaluation, and implementing necessary improvements in the development process.

Ultimately, quality assurance is a holistic approach that combines various tools and practices to ensure that the software meets the desired quality standards and satisfies user requirements.

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Software quality with agile testing

Agile testing significantly improves software quality in modern development processes. Agile methods such as Scrum and Kanban promote the continuous integration and delivery of software, and agile testing is an integral part of this process. By using agile testing methods, developers and testers can work closely together to get early feedback and ensure that functionality, reliability and usability requirements are met.

Agile testing teams identify defects early and enable faster resolution, resulting in overall higher software quality and customer satisfaction. This approach to software quality seamlessly integrates testing into the development cycle and helps ensure that the software meets the changing needs of the market.

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