Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSURANCE
Code CKIT518
Coordinator Prof FP Coenen
Computer Science
Coenen@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2019-20 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 15

Aims

1. To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the concept software quality assurance.

2. To enable students to understand the importance of producing quality software through the implementation of rigorous processes and procedures.

3. To allow students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the infrastructure, management and organisational aspects of producing quality software.

4. To provide students with knowledge of the application of quality metrics, standards and assessment techniques.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) A comprehensive undestanding of the importance of producing quality software systems.

(LO2) A critical understanding of software validation and verification, and software quality assurance processes.

(LO3) An ability to draw up and implement quality assurance plans and proedures.

(LO4) An ability to evaluate the cost of quality assurance activities.

(LO5) An systematic understanding of software quality commercial standards.

(S1) Skills in using technology - Online communications skills

(S2) Commercial awareness - Ability to analyse/balance risk and reward

(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S4) Working in groups and teams - Group action planning


Syllabus

 

Week 1: Introduction to Software Quality Assurance (SQA)
Software quality and software quality assurance definition, Edwards Deming’s quality principles, Statistical methods of analysis. Continuous improvement through the Edwards Deming cycle (the Plan, Do, Check, Act Process).

Week 2: Software Quality Infrastructure Components and Organising for Quality Assurance
Procedures and work instructions, staff training and certification, the role of management in quality assurance, he SQA unit and other actors in the SQA system.

Week 3: Pre-Project Software Quality Components and Standards, Certifications and Assessment
Contract review, development and quality plans, quality management standards, SQA project process standards.

Week 4: SQA Components in the Project Life Cycle
Verification and Validation, overview of main software development methods and related SQA processes. Team review methods, Fagan insp ections, active design reviews.

Week 5: Software Testing Strategies, Implementation and CASE Tools
Software errors, faults, failures and defects, testing levels, test case design, test automation and testing tools, testing adequacy.

Week 6: Risk Analysis, Corrective and Preventative Actions and Configuration Management
Risk identification, analysis and management; organising for corrective and preventative action; software configuration management; change control; documentation control.

Week 7: Management Components of Software Quality
Project process control, software quality metrics, cost of software quality.

Week 8: Quality Through Continuous Improvement
Maturity Models: CMM, CMMI and TMM; future SQA prospects: challenges and capabilities.      


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Virtual classroom hours (for online modules)
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Number of hours per week that students are expected to attend the virtual classroom so as to participate in discussion, dedicated to group work and individual assessment is 8.75.

Teaching Method 2 - Non-classroom hours (for online modules)
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Number of hours per week that students are expected to devote to reading, research and other individual work to support engagement in the classroom is 10.


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours           70

80

150
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 0
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Assessment 1 Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Whole session  Weekly Discussion Qu    40       
Assessment 2 Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Whole Session  Weekly coursework as    30       
Assessment 3 Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Whole Session  6 week individual an    30       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.