The software quality economics model for software project optimization

  • Authors:

  • Ljubomir Lazic;Amel Kolaš//inac;Dž/enan Avdic

  • Affiliations:

  • Technical Faculty, University of Novi Pazar, Novi Pazar, Serbia;Technical Faculty, University of Novi Pazar, Novi Pazar, Serbia;Technical Faculty, University of Novi Pazar, Novi Pazar, Serbia

  • Venue:
  • WSEAS Transactions on Computers
  • Year:
  • 2009

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Abstract

There are many definitions of quality being given by experts that explains quality for manufacturing industry but still unable to define it with absolute clarity for software engineering. To enable software designers to achieve a higher quality for their design, a better insight into quality predictions for their design choices is given. In this paper we propose a model which traces design decisions and the possible alternatives. With this model it is possible to minimize the cost of switching between design alternatives, when the current choice cannot fulfill the quality constraints. With this model we do not aim to automate the software design process or the identification of design alternatives. Much rather we aim to define a method with which it is possible to assist the software engineer in evaluating design alternatives and adjusting design decisions in a systematic manner. As of today there is very little knowledge is available about the economics of software quality. The costs incurred and benefits of implementing different quality practices over the software development life cycle are not well understood. There are some prepositions, which are not being tested comprehensively, but some useful Economic Model of Software Quality Costs (CoSQ) and data from industry are described in this article. Significant research is needed to understand the economics of implementing quality practices and its behaviour. Such research must evaluate the cost benefit trade-offs in investing in quality practices where the returns are maximized over the software development life cycle. From a developer's perspective, there are two types of benefits that can accrue from the implementation of good software quality practices and tools: money and time. A financial ROI calculation of cost savings and the schedule ROI calculation of schedule savings are given.