Proactive SQA™ Shifting Left w/Proactive Software Quality Practices

Proactive SQA™ Overcomes
‘Traffic Cop’ SQA Resistance
with Robin Goldsmith
#ShiftLeftQA

XBOSoft
Dedicated to Software Quality Improvement
Founded in 2006
We speed products to market with our expert:
•  Software QA Consulting
•  Software Testing
–  Automation
–  Performance
–  Security
XBOSoft, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2
#ShiftLeftQA

House Rules
§  Participants other than the speakers are muted
§  Ask questions in the GoToWebinar control on the
right side of your screen or through Twitter
@XBOSoft
§  Questions may be asked throughout the webinar -
we’ll try to answer them at the end
§  You’ll receive info on recording after the webinar
Webinar Hashtag: #ShiftLeftQA
#ShiftLeftQA

Meet Our Speakers
Philip Lew
CEO and Founder, XBOSoft
•  Relevant specialties and passions
o  Software quality process,
evaluation, measurement and
improvement
o  Software quality in use / UX
design
o  Mobile User Experience and
usability
o  Cycling and travel
XBOSoft Team
#ShiftLeftQA

Robin Goldsmith
Author of:
•  ArtechHouse book Discovering REAL
Business Requirements for Software
Project Success
•  Forthcoming book Cut Creep—Put
Business Back in Business Analysis to
Discover REAL Business Requirements for
Agile, ATDD, and Other Projects
•  Numerous articles and featured
presentations
•  The Proactive Testing™, Proactive SQA™,
REAL ROI™, and Beyond the Textbook
Software Acquisition™ methodologies
•  Subject expert on requirements and testing for TechTarget’s
SearchSoftwareQuality.com, and subject expert/reviewer for the IIBA Business
Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK v2)
•  Works directly with and trains business/systems professionals in quality and testing,
requirements analysis, software acquisition, project management and leadership,
metrics, ROI, and process improvement
www.gopromanagement.com
robin@gopromanagement.com
#ShiftLeftQA

•  Enforcing compliance
•  Document formats
•  Following procedures
•  Obstacle to
•  Progress
•  Delivery
•  Understandable
RESISTANCE
Are You Familiar with
QA as ‘Traffic Cop’
www.123rf.com/photo_12808921

Why We’re Here
Quality Assurance functions are at risk
•  Resistance to “traffic cops”
•  Not providing needed value
•  Not actually doing QA
•  Trying to do it all gets in over their heads
•  Inadequate credibility and influence
•  Considered irrelevant, especially for Agile
Organizations are missing value QA could/
should add#ShiftLeftQA

Objectives
You should be able to:
•  Distinguish system/software quality, quality
assurance (SQA), and quality control (SQC).
•  Analyze conventional SQA/standards and why they
so often are resisted, ignored, and/or fail.
•  Describe the six functions Proactive SQA™ performs
and why people actually want them
Proactive SQA™ is a key basis of significant
value-enhancing revisions to IEEE SQA Std. 730-2014
#ShiftLeftQA

Agenda
•  Definitions of quality and their significance
•  Quality Assurance vs. Quality Control
•  Traditional views of Quality Assurance
•  Proactive Software Quality Assurance (SQA)™
#ShiftLeftQA

Exercise: What is Quality?
Quality
.
System Quality
.
Software Quality
.
.
#ShiftLeftQA

Exercise: What is QA?
Quality Assurance
.
Quality Control
.
#ShiftLeftQA

System vs. Software Quality
Relevance to SQC/SQA
•  At which life cycle phase is it decided whether
solution includes hardware?
– Requirements
– Design
– Build and test
•  What impact on quality activities
– If system vs. software initially misidentified?
– If system vs. software subsequently changes?
Is system vs. software distinction relevant, useful?
#ShiftLeftQA

Exercise: Quality vs. Quality Control?
Is Quality the same as Quality Control/Testing?
.
What else besides testing does quality involve?
.
#ShiftLeftQA

Quality Is Key to
Delivering Quicker and Cheaper
•  “Quality is free”
•  Cost of (poor) quality
– Assessment (appraisal)
– Prevention
– Failure
•  Internal
•  External
-- Philip Crosby
#ShiftLeftQA

Some Common Definitions of
Quality
•  Customer satisfaction
•  Meets or exceeds customer expectations
•  Optimization, value
•  Conformance to requirements (Philip Crosby)
•  Percent of (a sample of) products passing
inspection for defects; lack of defects (~Deming)
•  Minimal variation within specification (Six Sigma)
•  Fitness for use (Joseph Juran)
Any problems with these definitions?
#ShiftLeftQA

What We
Mean By System Quality
•  Fits system specs
•  Runs efficiently
•  Doesn’t blow up
•  Follows standards
•  Current technology
•  Modern techniques
•  Easily modified
–  without code change
–  when code changes
#ShiftLeftQA

What Others
Mean By System Quality
•  Does what needs to be
done correctly
•  Performs adequately
•  Reliable/consistent
•  Easy to use
•  Supported quickly and
correctly
•  On-time, in budget
We
•  Fits system specs
•  Runs efficiently
•  Doesn’t blow up
•  Follows standards
•  Current technology
•  Modern techniques
•  Easily modified
–  without code change
–  when code changes
#ShiftLeftQA

Until We Share a Common
Definition of System Quality...
➼ Users, managers, developers,
and Quality professionals will
continue to disappoint each
other
➼ Each has a different idea of
what to deliver and how to
tell whether it has been
delivered adequately
➼ Each thinks the others don’t
care about Quality

µ Quality Dimension: Quality of
Design (What’s it need to do)
•  Required functions, capabilities, and
performance levels defined appropriately
– needs of all stakeholders identified
– definitions accurate and complete
– meaningful common understanding
•  Design suitably meets requirements
•  Costs/benefits/schedules are accurate
•  Trade-offs based on adequate information
#ShiftLeftQA

Conformance (How it’s produced)
•  Products conform to design
•  Products apply standards/conventions
•  Workers use expected skill and care
•  Workers apply defined methods, tools
•  Management uses appropriate practices
•  Product is delivered on-time, in-budget
#ShiftLeftQA

Performance (How it’s delivered)
•  Product is available as needed for use
•  Product works in intended manner
•  Product works reliably and accurately
•  Product handles workload adequately
•  Product is supported and maintained
responsively
#ShiftLeftQA

⑩ Addressing Quality Factors
Application Functions
Usability
Reliability
Correctness
Durability
Appearance
Availability
Usefulness
Operability
Performance
Supportability
Cost-Effectiveness
Adaptability
Efficiency Style
Reusability Structure
Portability Flexibility
Traceability Testability
Maintainability
Manageability

Manufacturability
Understandability
Documentation
Interoperability
Safety
Security
Scalability
Stability
Integrity
Factors:
Exterior
Interior
Future
#ShiftLeftQA

Turning Requirements
Into a Quality Working System
QUALITY
FACTORS
(how well)
BUSINESS
REQUIREMENTS
(how much)
ANALYSIS & DESIGN

DEVELOPMENT

OPERATION
ENGIN-
EERING
STAND-
ARDS
Quality of:
Design
Conformance
Performance
#ShiftLeftQA

Our Working Definition of System Quality
The extent to which it meets weighted stated and implied
exterior, interior, and future REAL business requirements of
all affected internal and external stakeholders consistent with
standards of design, workmanship, and performance.
The more of the relevant requirements which are met, and the
more demanding the standards are with respect to meeting
those requirements, the higher the quality.
Quality is absolute. The amount of quality one receives is
governed by available resources, priorities, and other
constraints.
Value is the perceived benefit of quality received relative to the
costs of producing and receiving it.
#ShiftLeftQA

Quality Assurance (QA) vs.
Quality Control (QC)/Testing
Dynamic
Code
Execution
Static Reviews
of Requirements
and Designs
These are QC too—examining products
•  QC/Testing examines end products, typically
for conformance to specifications (but which
often are referred to as ‘requirements’)
•  QA assures the processes producing the end
products produce quality products
–  To some, that means examining intermediate
products within the development process
–  Often checks compliance of documents/procedures
to standards/guidelines (“traffic cop”)
#ShiftLeftQA

IEEE Std 12207-2008 Systems and software
engineering —Software life cycle processes 1/4
Traditional—reactive—definition of SQA
Starting point for revision of IEEE Std. 730 for SQA
7.2.3 Software Quality Assurance Process
7.2.3.1 Purpose
The purpose of the Software Quality Assurance
Process is to provide assurance that work
products and processes comply with
predefined provisions and plans.
#ShiftLeftQA

7.2.3.2 Outcomes
As a result of successful implementation of the Software
Quality Assurance Process:
a) a strategy for conducting quality assurance is developed;
b) evidence of software quality assurance is produced and
maintained;
c) problems and/or non-conformance with
requirements are identified and
recorded; and
d) adherence of products, processes and activities to the
applicable standards, procedures and requirements
are verified.
#ShiftLeftQA

7.2.3.3 Activities and tasks
The project shall implement the following activities in accordance with
applicable organization policies and procedures with respect to the Software
Quality Assurance Process.
7.2.3.3.1 Process implementation. This activity consists of the following tasks:
7.2.3.3.1.1 A quality assurance process suited to the project
shall be established. The objectives of the quality assurance
process shall be to assure that the software products and the
processes employed for providing those software products
comply with their established requirements and adhere to their
established plans.
7.2.3.3.1.2 The quality assurance process should be
coordinated with the related Software Verification (subclause
7.2.4), Software Validation (subclause 7.2.5), Software Review
(subclause 7.2.6), and Software Audit (subclause 7.2.7)
Processes.
#ShiftLeftQA

7.2.3.3.1.3 A plan for conducting the quality assurance process
activities and tasks shall be developed, documented,
implemented, and maintained for the life of the contract. The
plan shall include the following:
a) Quality standards, methodologies, procedures, and tools for performing
the quality assurance activities (or their references in organization's
official documentation).
b) Procedures for contract review and coordination thereof.
c) Procedures for identification, collection, filing, maintenance, and
disposition of quality records.
d) Resources, schedule, and responsibilities for conducting the quality
assurance activities.
e) Selected activities and tasks from supporting processes, such as
Software Verification (subclause 7.2.4), Software Validation
(subclause 7.2.5), Software Review (subclause 7.2.6), Software Audit
(subclause 7.2.7), and Software Problem Resolution (subclause 7.2.8).

Original Std. 730 scope
How similar is this to what your organization does?
#ShiftLeftQA

System Quality Results From
How
Well
System Quality
Is Defined

How well developers implement
(Developers create all the quality
and defects in delivered software)
How well testers detect defects which do exist
Effort
I
m
p
a
c
t
#ShiftLeftQA

Proactive System Quality Assurance
(SQA)™ Direction of New IEEE Std. 730
How
Well
System Quality
Is Defined
How well developers implement
(Developers create all the quality
and defects in delivered software)
How well testers detect defects which do exist
PROCESS
Define appropriate methods and techniques and assure all
projects use them well (environment that promotes quality)
PROJECT (Test All Development Deliverables)
Methods and techniques used to create
this software product were appropriate
PRODUCT (Testing the Code)
Delivered software
works properly
Value
#ShiftLeftQA

Proactive SQA™: Establishes an
Environment that Promotes Quality
Quality
Control
Defines
When,
What, How to
Do & TestCovers
Conception
Through
Retirement
Addresses
Reqs,
Design,
Workman-
ship, Mgmt
Practices
Identifies
Ways to Improve:
Prevent Errors
#ShiftLeftQA

The 6 Functions of SQA
❩  Define Quality Assurance Plans (What to do)
❪  Define, methods, practices, and standards (How to
do it well)
❫  Assure systematic quality controls of processes and
products (Make sure it gets done right)
❬  Maintain quality records (Keep track of it)
❭  Analyze and report on quality (Learn from it)
❮  Direct attention to improving quality (Encourage it)
A
s
s
u
r
e
Vs.
D
o
Actually
HELP
#ShiftLeftQA

1 Define Quality Assurance Plans
•  The project plan for QA, becomes part of
overall project plan—tasks, resources,
budget, schedule
•  Identifies every task and other information
needed to assure software product quality
– Templates, common to all projects
– Tasks unique to project
– Balanced with risk, needs, and constraints
•  Used to monitor/control progress
Entire focus of IEEE Std. 730 until current revision
#ShiftLeftQA

Exercise: What QA tasks on your plan?
Tasks and other information needed to assure software
product quality
.

#ShiftLeftQA

Consider Instead …
•  Taking a deliverables approach
•  Based on agreement of informed involved
parties
– Deliverables that knowledgeable experience
agrees aid creating/maintaining/operating
– Software products of suitable quality
But, caution….
#ShiftLeftQA

QA Plan, Very Detailed
Deliverables
Mil. Std. 2167 Requirements Analysis Phase
Computer Software Configuration Item
Functional Requirements
Performance Requirements
Interface Requirements
Qualification Requirements
Software Requirements Specification
Interface Requirements Specification
Software Development Plan
Software Standards and Procedures Manual
Software Configuration Management Plan
Software Quality Evaluation Plan
Operational Concept Document
Software Specification Review
Allocated Baselines for each CSCI
Authenticated SRS
Authenticated IRS(s)
Ongoing Internal Reviews Verification
#ShiftLeftQA

QA Plan Deliverables & Checklist
Generic Quality Checkpoints
Date Completed
Feasibility Analysis Report
Business/User Requirements
System Requirements Spec.
System Design
Conversion Plan
Technical Test Plans
Acceptance Test Plans
User Documentation
Operations Documentation
Technical Testing Completion
Production Turnover
Acceptance Testing Sign-off
Post-Implementation Review
#ShiftLeftQA

QA Plan Deliverables & Action Plan
Generic Quality Checkpoints
Applicable Budget Actual Date Date
Standards Resp Hours Hours Due Done
System Design
Conversion Plan
User Documentation
Production Turnover
#ShiftLeftQA

QA Plan Deliverables, QA Action
Plan Generic Quality Checkpoints
Development Quality Assurance Review
Std Rsp Hrs DateResp Budg Act Due Done
System Design
Conversion Plan
User Documentation
Production Turnover
#ShiftLeftQA

Exercise: Managing SQA Tasks, Resources
How would you handle and account for?

Development deliverable is delivered after SQA review
was scheduled to begin

SQA review finds a development deliverable
inadequate and needs the deliverable to be corrected
and re-reviewed

The SQA review takes longer and/or more effort than
planned

#ShiftLeftQA

Objectives
You should be able to:
•  Distinguish system/software quality, quality
assurance (SQA), and quality control (SQC).
•  Analyze conventional SQA/standards and why they
so often are resisted, ignored, and/or fail.
•  Describe the six functions Proactive SQA™ performs
and why people actually want them
Proactive SQA™ is a key basis of significant
value-enhancing revisions to IEEE SQA Std. 730-2014
#ShiftLeftQA

Go Pro Management, Inc. Seminars/Consulting--Relation to Life Cycle
Proactive Systems/Software Quality Assurance (SQA)™
Software, Test Process Measurement & Improvement
Feasibility
Analysis
Systems
Analysis
System
Design
Develop-
ment Implement-
ation Operations
Maintenance
Proactive Testing™:
Risk-Based Test Planning,
Design, and Management
Testing Early in the Life Cycle
Re-Engineering: Opportunities for IS
Credibly Managing Projects and Processes with Metrics
21 Ways to Review Requirements
Making You a Leader
Managing Software Acquisition and Outsourcing:
> Purchasing Software and Services
> Controlling an Existing Vendor’s Performance
Proactive User Acceptance Testing
Reusable Test Designs
Test Estimation
Risk
Analysis
Defining and Managing
Business Requirements
Writing Testable SW Requirements
Online coming--ask
#ShiftLeftQA

Robin F. Goldsmith, JD
robin@gopromanagement.com (781) 444-5753
www.gopromanagement.com
•  President of Go Pro Management, Inc. consultancy since 1982, working directly with and training professionals in
business engineering, requirements analysis, software acquisition, project management, quality and testing.
•  Partner with ProveIT.net in REAL ROI™ and ROI Value Modeling™.
•  Previously a developer, systems programmer/DBA/QA, and project leader with the City of Cleveland, leading
financial institutions, and a “Big 4” consulting firm.
•  Degrees: Kenyon College, A.B.; Pennsylvania State University, M.S. in Psychology; Suffolk University, J.D.;
Boston University, LL.M. in Tax Law.
•  Published author and frequent speaker at leading professional conferences.
•  Formerly International Vice President of the Association for Systems Management and Executive Editor of the
Journal of Systems Management.
•  Founding Chairman of the New England Center for Organizational Effectiveness.
•  Member of the Boston SPIN and SEPG’95 Planning and Program Committees.
•  Chair of record-setting BOSCON 2000 and 2001, ASQ Boston Section‘s Annual Quality Conferences.
•  TechTarget, SearchSoftwareQuality requirements and testing subject expert.
•  Member IEEE Std. 829-2008 for Software Test Documentation Standard Revision Committee.
•  Member IEEE 730-2014 Working Group rewriting IEEE Std. 730-2002 for Software Quality Assurance Plans.
•  International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) subject expert.
•  Admitted to the Massachusetts Bar and licensed to practice law in Massachusetts.
•  Author of book: Discovering REAL Business Requirements for Software Project Success
•  Author of forthcoming book: Cut Creep—Put Business Back in Business Analysis to Discover REAL
Business Requirements for Agile, ATDD, and Other Projects
Email me for
updated slides
#ShiftLeftQA

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Q+A
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