Software Quality Methods, LLC. has been providing experienced management support as a “second pair of hands,” and “rent-a-manager,” and mentor for over twenty years. An understanding of both management and technical issues translates into the ability to communicate with and translate between upper management and staff. Working with many, varied organizations in all fields of software development translates into concrete

Services:

• Quality/Test Organization Assessment
• Strategic Planning for Quality
• Tactical Planning for Quality
• Organizational Transformation

Quality/Test Organization Assessment

Canned methodologies abound and are sold as the silver bullet to achieve greatness. Every organizational situation is unique, so just like one-size-fits-all clothing, the off-the-shelf methodologies don’t fit for most organizations. Managers are frequently aware that improvements are necessary and want to know what to do about them. SQM provides an independent outsider view with the knowledge, tools, and experience to properly evaluate organizational strengths and  make realistic recommendations for improvements. We draw upon knowledge and experience with standards and best-in-class operations to compare an organization with comparable contexts to provide practical assessments of where and how they might improve. The best-in-class comparisons are accomplished through a combination of observation, interviews, technical analysis, and documentation review.

Although many organizations aspire to meet specific industry standards such as ISO 9000 or CMMI, such a formal approach to organizational excellence is not necessary appropriate in many contexts. The standards have formal requirements, defined processes, often require long document trails, and have internal and external audit requirements for demonstrating continued adherence to the standards. The solutions should draw upon the most appropriate and practical aspects of standards and industry practices to optimize organization performance and quality at a reasonable cost.

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Strategic Planning For Quality

A good high level strategy opens the pathway to success. Catastrophes can be avoided by thinking through the quality tools, techniques, and resources that best fit a project. SQM recognizes the value of identifying and documenting basic approaches to quality at the start of a project, but it's never too late to articulate a quality strategy. Planning a strategy for quality requires a combination of understanding of management priorities, project goals, available technology, and applicable techniques to produce good quality software.  Knowledge and experience in comparable businesses is a key resource required for effective strategic planning. Hiring outside expertise for strategic planning also has the advantages of applying current industry knowledge and experience at lower cost than hiring such an expert who remains long after the strategy is planned.

Both emerging and established software development and quality assurance organizations must understand their charters and plan accordingly. Management teams that best understand how to guide a stable organization aren't necessarily experienced with establishment or growth of a quality assurance team.  The high rate of technology change and fast release cycles often require a fresh look at development and quality approaches from outside experts who can draw on experience across industries. 

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Tactical Planning for Software Quality

Tactical planning identifies how different elements are applied to result in high quality software at a reasonable cost. SQM provides tactical planning for quality by combining a high level understanding of the product, organizational priorities, and practical alternatives. Ultimately, the tactical planning results in an optimal use of resources, emphasizing obtaining high quality information and products without undue overhead, redundant efforts, or wasted time.  SQM successfully generates and administers such quality assurance and testing plans.

SQM helps understand quality and organizational requirements and plan tactics to optimize the time, money, and efforts invested. For example, quality planning documents can be as brief as one page models of the software being tested (diagrams, tables, etc.), or as complex as detailed, repeatable, auditable, step-by-step, acceptance procedures. Over-planning, under-planning, or over-documenting leads to wasted efforts and possible quality problems. Therefore, the amount and form of documentation needs to match the organizations and customers' requirements.

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Organization Transformation

Establishing new or substantially changing existing norms is a sensitive and difficult task. Managers are frequently aware that improvements are necessary without having the time, knowledge, or experience to properly evaluate, plan, and implement the changes. Processes need to fit organizational requirements and people need to own those processes. People need to understand the processes and why they are appropriate. Designing the right processes and gaining buy-in from the participants are keys to successful implementation of key processes. To really work, processes need to be part of the culture. Process changes require cultural changes.

SQM provides guidance based on experience to plan and improve organizational procedures and adjust organization culture.

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Updated July 1, 2011

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