Software Quality

Chapter 20Software Process Assurance Activities for External Participants

20.1 Introduction

The partners of a software development project – traditionally the party interested in the software system (the “acquirer”) and the organization that undertakes to carry out the development contract (the “supplier”) – are very often not the only participants in a development project. This is especially true for large-scale projects, which frequently include external participants. The four external participant types are classified into two main groups: external performers and readymade software suppliers.

External performers include:

1. Subcontractors (a general term for “off-shoring” and “outsourcing”) who undertake to carry out parts of a project – small or large – according to project conditions and requirements.
2. The customer, as a participant in performing the project. It is quite common for customers to perform parts of a project; apply special expertise, respond to commercial or other security needs, keep internal software development staff occupied, prevent future maintenance problems, and so forth. Hence, the inevitability of this situation has become a standard element of many software development projects and contractual relations.

Readymade software suppliers include:

1. COTS software and reused software modules provided by specialized suppliers. The benefits of integrating these ready components are obvious, and range from timetable and cost reductions to quality. One might expect ...