Quality technique transfer: Manufacturing and software

• Authors: Graham A. King
• Venue: Annals of Software Engineering
• Year: 2000

An argument for quality technique transfer between manufacturing and software is put forward in which it is recognised that the nature of the production process differs and that the emphasis accorded given stages in the respective life cycles may also differ. The relevant issues that contribute to successful transfer are discussed before a case is made for potential candidate techniques from manufacturing, electronics, and avionics. A common feature of the underlying analysis is identified as an increase in the emphasis placed on quantitative approaches. The paper then proceeds to explain the example techniques which are: the manufacturing process capability measures for Statistical Process Control (SPC); Taguchi Fractional Factorial Experiments; built in testing from VLSI technology; and Black Box recording, derived from avionics, in usage testing. Instances of the implementation of each are given and it is concluded that practical implementations of transferred techniques are related to: the product development phase; the maintenance phase; and the process improvement sphere. The strength of pressures to overcome existing product deficiencies are reasoned to mitigate implementation costs.