Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSURANCE
Code CKIT518
Coordinator Prof FP Coenen
Computer Science
Coenen@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 15

Aims
1.       To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the concept software quality assurance.
 
2.       To enable students to understand the importance of producing quality software through the implementation of rigorous processes and procedures. 
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3.       To allow students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the infrastructure, management and organisational aspects of producing quality software.
 
4.       To provide students with knowledge of the application of quality metrics, standards and assessment techniques.

Learning Outcomes
A comprehensive undestanding of the importance of producing quality software systems.

A critical understanding of software validation and verification, and software quality assurance processes.

An ability to draw up and implement quality assurance plans and proedures.

An ability to evaluate the cost of quality assurance activities.

An systematic understanding of software quality commercial standards.

Syllabus
1  Week 1: Introduction to Software Quality Assurance (SQA)

Software quality and software quality assurance definition, Edwards Deming’s quality principles, Statistical methods of analysis. Continuous improvement through the Edwards Deming cycle (the Plan, Do, Check, Act Process).

 

Week 2: Software Quality Infrastructure Components and Organising for Quality Assurance

Procedures and work instructions, staff training and certification, the role of management in quality assurance, he SQA unit and other actors in the SQA system.

 

Week 3: Pre-Project Software Quality Components and Standards, Certifications and Assessment

Contract review, development and quality plans, quality management standards, SQA project process standards.

 

Week 4: SQA Components in the Project Life Cycle

Verification and Validation, overview of main software development methods and related SQA processes. Team review methods, Fagan inspections, active design reviews.

 

Week 5: Software Testing Strategies, Implementation and CASE Tools

Software errors, faults, failures and defects, testing levels, test case design, test automation and testing tools, testing adequacy.

 

Week 6: Risk Analysis, Corrective and Preventative Actions and Configuration Management

Risk identification, analysis and management; organising for corrective and preventative action; software configuration management; change control; documentation control.

   

Week 7: Management Components of Software Quality

Project process control, software quality metrics, cost of software quality.

 

Week 8: Quality Through Continuous Improvement

M aturity Models: CMM, CMMI and TMM; future SQA prospects: challenges and capabilities.

 

    


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Virtual classroom hours (for online modules) -

Number of hours per week that students are expected to attend the virtual classroom so as to participate in discussion, dedicated to group work and individual assessment is 8.75.

Non-classroom hours (for online modules) -

Number of hours per week that students are expected to devote to reading, research and other individual work to support engagement in the classroom is 10.

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours           70

80

 150
Timetable (if known)           Number of hours per week that students are expected to attend the virtual classroom so as to participate in discussion, dedicated to group work and individual assessment is 8.75.
Number of hours per week that students are expected to devote to reading, research and other individual work to support engagement in the classroom is 10.
  		 
Private Study 0
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  Weekly Discussion Qu  Whole session  40  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 There is no reassessment opportunity, The nature of the adopted online learning paradigm is such that no reassessment opportunity is available; instead students failing the module will be offered the opportunity to retake the entire module. 
Coursework  Weekly coursework as  Whole Session  30  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 There is no reassessment opportunity, The nature of the adopted online learning paradigm is such that no reassessment opportunity is available; instead students failing the module will be offered the opportunity to retake the entire module. 
Coursework  6 week individual an  Whole Session  30  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 3 There is no reassessment opportunity, The nature of the adopted online learning paradigm is such that no reassessment opportunity is available; instead students failing the module will be offered the opportunity to retake the entire module. Notes (applying to all assessments) 1) Due to nature of the on-line mode of instruction this work is not marked anonymously. 2) Students who fail the module have the opportunity repeat the entire module. 3) The "Standard UoL Penalty" for late submission that applies is the "Standard UoL Penalty" agreed with respect to online programmes offered in collaboration with Laureate Online Education.  

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List:

The online programmes offered by the department of Computer Science in Collaboration with Laureate Online Education use online materials wherever possible including the online resources available within the University of Liverpool’s libraries. This module does not require a specific text book.