In your opinion, what are two key characteristics that mark, and distinguish, qu
ID: 3839996 • Letter: I
Question
In your opinion, what are two key characteristics that mark, and distinguish, quality software? Explain, and support your choices. Which metrics would you use to provide the best measurement of the characteristics you selected? What attitudes, and attributes, should employees possess in order to continually produce quality work and satisfy customer needs? What management practices would have to be put in place to foster those attitudes and attributes? Be sure to provide clear arguments, and support them with appropriate examples.
Explanation / Answer
software quality refers to two related but distinct notions that exist wherever quality is defined in a business context:
Software functional quality reflects how well it complies with or conforms to a given design, based on functional requirements or specifications. That attribute can also be described as the fitness for purpose of a piece of software or how it compares to competitors in the marketplace as a worthwhile product.[1] It is the degree to which the correct software was produced.
Software structural quality refers to how it meets non-functional requirements that support the delivery of the functional requirements, such as robustness or maintainability. It has a lot to do more with the degree to which the software works as needed.
Many aspects of structural quality can be evaluated only statically through the analysis of the software inner structure, its source code, at the unit level, the technology level and the system level, which is in effect how its architecture adheres to sound principles of software architecture outlined in a paper on the topic by OMG.But some structural qualities, such as usability, can be assessed only dynamically (users or others acting in their behalf interact with the software or, at least, some prototype or partial implementation; even the interaction with a mock version made in cardboard represents a dynamic test because such version can be considered a prototype). Other aspects, such as reliability, might involve not only the software but also the underlying hardware, therefore, it can be assessed both statically and dynamically (stress test).
Functional quality is typically assessed dynamically but it is also possible to use static tests.
Two key cahracteristics for software quality are functionality and reliabiltiy.
Functionality is the essential purpose of any product or service. For certain item this is relatively easy to define, for exambel a ship's anchor has the function of holding a ship at a given location. The more functions a product has e.g. an ATN macine, then the more complicated it beocmes to define it's functionality.
Reliability
Once a software system is functioning, as specified, and delivered the reliability characteristic defines the capability of the system to maintain its service provision under defined conditions for defined periods of time. One aspect of this characteristic is fault tolerance that is the ability of a system to withstand component failure. For example if the network goes down for 20 seconds then comes back the system should be able to recover and continue functioning.
What is the most important thing you can do to improve relationships with your customers? The answer is as obvious as it is overlooked: improve customer service. No matter how great your product is or how talented your staff is, one of the things that customers are most likely to remember is the direct interaction they have with your company.
It is important for an empoyee to have right skill to manage customer needs and produce quality work. Skill that you should be look out in an employee:
Empathy, patience and consistency. Some customers will be irate. Others will be full of questions. And others will just be chatty. You must know how to handle all of them and provide the same level of service every time.
Adaptability. Every customer is different, and some may even seem to change week-to-week. You should be able to handle surprises, sense the customer’s mood and adapt accordingly. This also includes a willingness to learn– providing good customer service is a continuous learning process.
Clear communication. Ensure to convey to customers exactly what you mean. You don’t want your customer to think he’s getting 50% off when he’s actually getting 50% more product. Use authentically positive language, stay cheerful no matter what and never end a conversation without confirming the customer is satisfied.
Work ethic. Customers appreciate who will see their problem through to its resolution. At the same time, he/she must have good time management skills. Stay focused on goals to achieve the right balance.
Knowledge. Ultimately your customers rely on you for their knowledge of your product. Stay informed enough to respond to most inquiries and know where to turn if the questions become too detailed or technical for you to answer. But don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” either. Customers will appreciate the honesty and your efforts to find the right answer.