Definition of QUALITY - Quality is physical or nonphysical characteristics that constitutes that basic nature of a thing is one of its distinguishing features. (Webster’s New World Dictionary) - Quality as applied to the products turned out by industry means the characteristics or group of combination of characteristics which distinguishes one article from another, or the goods of one manufacturer from those of his competitors, or one of grade for product from certain factory from another grade turned out by the same factory. ( Radford)- Quality is fitness for use. ( Juran)
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
- Quality is physical or nonphysical characteristics that constitutes
that basic nature of a thing is one of its distinguishing features.(Webster’s New World Dictionary)
- Quality as applied to the products turned out by industry means thecharacteristics or group of combination of characteristics which
distinguishes one article from another, or the goods of onemanufacturer from those of his competitors, or one of grade forproduct from certain factory from another grade turned out by thesame factory. (Radford)
- There are two common aspects of quality, one of these has to do withthe consideration of quality of a thing as an objective reality independentof the existence of man. The other has to do with what we think, feel,
or sense as a result of the objectives reality- this subjective side ofquality is closely linked to value.(Shewart )
- Quality is conformance to requirements (clearly stated) (Crosby)
- Quality should be aimed at the needs of the consumer, present and
future. (Deming )- Quality is total composite product and service characteristics ofmarketing, engineering, manufacture, and maintenance through whichthe product and service in use will meet the expectation of thecustomer. (Feigenbaum)
- Product quality encompasses those characteristics which the productmust possess if it is to be used in the intended manner. (Mizuno)
1. Custom-Craft Paradigm – In this paradigm, there is a clear
communication between the craftsman and customer resulting infocus on the product and product performance relative to thedemands. The product is made exactly the way the buyer wants.Example of this pattern are found in tailor’s shop, furniture supplier,
bank loans etc.
2. Mass Production Paradigm- This paradigm developed post-
mechanization. Here the focus is on production rates, and the directinvolvement of the customer is not there although the product isdefined with customer in mind. Product performance is relativelylow here and there is generation of rework and scrap. The delivery
times is typically low as the sales happen from stocks being held.Service organization in this paradigm are labor intensive.Examples of this pattern are found in automobile parts, etc.
3. Statistical Quality Control Paradigm- This similar to mass
production paradigm except that the focus is more on the process.Together with mechanized production statistical process control isapplied in the process due to which there is less generation of scrap
and rework, and the production cost goes down. Here the product aredesigned and build, statistical techniques are used and then thecustomers are created. Examples of this pattern are found inautomobile parts, electronic components, etc.
4. Total Quality Management Paradigm- Together with mass
production and statistical techniques. This paradigm focuses oncustomer and supplier. Here the production lines are same as massproduction paradigm but the customer plays a part in productdefinition, creation and performance evaluation. Employeeinvolvement and empowerment, customer-focus, continuous
improvement, top management commitment training team work, areits key tenets. The result is high quality product, low cost and fastdelivery. Rework and scrap are reduced substantially. In short,customers tell what they want and the product is delivered usingproactive and reactive quality strategies. Examples can be found in
5. Techno-Craft Paradigm- This paradigm is a new frontierof quality that seeks to emulate the custom-craft paradigm
in performance while reducing the cost and delivery time.This paradigm requires high level of product and processflexibility. Customers get exactly what they want. Therequirement here is of integration of machine, men andautomation. Computer aided design and manufacturing
would be of great help here. Each unit designed andbuild the way the customer wants it to build. Thisparadigm is being tried out in apparel and softwareindustry.
Refers to the extent to which a firm and its suppliers can produceproducts with a predictable degree of uniformity and dependability, at a givencost, in keeping with the quality requirement determined in the quality ofdesign study. Once the specifications are determined via a quality of design
study, the organizations must continuously strive to improve these specifications.
Quality of performance studies focus on determining how the qualitycharacteristics determined in quality of design, and improve and innovated inquality of conformance studies are performing in the market place. The majortools used here are study of after-sales service-call analysis. This tools evaluatewhy consumers like or dislike a product.
computer programs(the code) – these are needed to activate the computer to performthe required application.
- defined software as computer programs, procedures, andassociated documentation and data pertaining to the operation of a computer system
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
FOUR COMPONENTS OF SOFTWARE
data necessary for operating the software system- essential data includingparameters that adapt the software to the needs of the specific user are necessaryfor operating the software.
Documentation-The development documentation allows efficient cooperation andcoordination among development team members. User’s documentation provides a
description of the available application and the appropriate method for their use.The maintenance documentation provides the maintenance team with all therequired information about the code, and the structure and tasks of each
software module.
procedures-these are required o define the order and schedule in which the programsare performed, the method employed and the person responsible for such activities.
- The degree to which a system, component, or processmeets specified requirements.
- The degree to which a system, components, or processmeets customer needs or expectations.
Quality means conformance to requirements.
- Quality consists of those product features which meet the needsof customers and thereby provide product satisfaction.
- Quality consists of freedom from deficiencies.
***Pressman defined software quality as a conformance to explicitly statedfunctional and performance requirements, explicitly documented developmentstandards, and implicit characteristics that are expected of all professionallydeveloped software.
1. A planned and systematic pattern of all actions necessary to provideadequate confidence that an item or product conforms to establishedtechnical requirements.
2. A set of activities designed to evaluate the process by which the productsare developed or manufactured.
3. A systematic, planned set of actions necessary to provide adequateconfidence that the software development process or the maintenanceprocess of a software product conforms to established functional technical
requirements as well as with the managerial requirements of keeping theschedule and operating within the budgetary confines.
Quality control – is defined as “a set of activities designed
to evaluate the quality of a developed or manufacturedproduct. Quality control inspection and other activitiestake place as the development or manufacturing of theproduct is completed yet before the product is shipped
to the client.
Quality assurance- the objective is to minimize the cost ofguaranteeing quality by a variety of activities performedthroughout the development and manufacturing processes
or stages. These activities prevent the cause of errors, anddetect them and correct them early in the development
3. Deliberate deviations from software requirements- The developer reuses software modules taken from an earlier
project without sufficient analysis of the changes and
adaptations needed to correctly fulfill all new requirements.- Due to time or budget pressures, the developer decides toomit part of the required functions in an attempt to cope withthese pressures.
- Developer-initiated, unapproved improvements to the software,
introduced without clients approval.
4. Logical design errors- Definitions that represent software requirements by means of
erroneous algorithms.- Process definitions that contain sequencing errors
- Erroneous definition of boundary conditions.- Omissions of required software system states.- Omission of definitions concerning reactions to illegal
6. Non-compliance with documentation and coding instructions
7. Shortcoming of the testing process- Incomplete test plans leave untreated portions of the software.- Failures to document and report detected errors and faults.- Failure to promptly correct detected software faults.
- Incomplete correction of detected errors due to negligence