Measuring the quality of computer systems development

Abstract

Much has been written about quality in manufacturing environments, less has been written about quality in service environments, and little, if anything, has been written about quality in the specific computer systems development environment. Explores quality in such an environment. Identifies three major undefined issues which hinder the progress of quality in computer systems development: a definition of quality and quality management within a computer‐oriented service environment; agreement on a scope for computer systems that is subject to quality management; and a definition of a methodology which can be used to measure quality within a computer environment. Aims to explore these three issues, offer recommendations for resolving the issues and suggest methods and tools for the measurement and control of computer systems development quality. In this regard, identifies 13 key factors for measuring systems development quality, but also acknowledges that additional key factors might be identified by others and added to this listing. Also identifies the various basic quality metrics, both attributes and variables, which can be applied to each of the 13 key factors in order to assure that the final computer system, as developed, will be a “quality” computer system encompassing all of the end‐user’s requirements, wants and needs. Presents various methods and tools for the measurement and control of the 13 key factors to assure the quality development of a computer system.