Chapter 8 - Qualification

Abstract

This chapter discusses the qualification phase of a software product. After a fully functional software product is created, it is time to qualify the product through field tests and to begin steps to release the product to manufacturing. During the qualification phase, the software is in use at selected external field test sites. The development team stays in close contact with these sites, making sure any needed corrections are reflected in the version of the software and documentation to be shipped to the general customer base. In later stages of this test period, source code and documentation are frozen, and final copies of the distribution media and books are prepared. The development team prepared a field test strategy as part of the design and implementation phase of product development. This preliminary field test plan becomes a part of the development plan. Thus, it is available to help the team begin identifying appropriate field test sites. Often, the product manager, with help from both the field test administrator and the engineering project leader, takes care of this task. During design and implementation, the development team works out specific details of the field test process, such as the site configurations and problem reporting mechanisms. This information forms the basis of the field test plan.