Assuring the quality
of external
participants'
contributions
Michael Rooney
mpr07u
Introduction
• Types of external participants
• Risks and benefits associated with the
introduction of external participants
• Objectives to be obtained by application
of SQA tools
• SQA tools applied to external
participants
Types of external
participants
• Subcontractors
• Suppliers of Commercial off the shelf
software (COTS) and previously used
modules
• The customer may contribute to the
project
Benefits for the contractor
associated with the introduction
of external participants
• Budget Reductions
• Overcoming shortages of professional
staff
• Shorter project schedule
• Expertise acquired in areas that need
specialisation
Benefits for the customer
associated with the introduction
of external participants
• Protection of commercial secrets
• Provision of employment to internal
software development department
• Acquisition of project know-how for selfsupplied maintenance
• Project cost reductions
Simple Contracting Project
(no external participant)
Customer
Project
contract
Contractor
Compound Contracting
Project
(with external participant)
Customer
Project contract clauses
that deal with customersupplied parts
Contracts
COTS Supplier
Project
contract
Contractor
Contracts
Subcontractor
Risks for the contractor and the
customer, associated with the
introduction of external
participants
• Delayed completion of the project parts
• Low quality of parts
• Increased probability of difficulties in
maintenance
• Loss of control over development
Objectives
• Prevent late completion
• Assure the quality of work
• Assure enough documentation
• Assure complete control
SQA tools utilised
• Requirements documents reviews
• Choice of external participant
• Project co-ordination and joint control
committee
• Participation in design reviews
• Participation in software testing
SQA tools utilised
continued
• Specialised procedures
• Certification of external participants’
team leaders and other staff
• Progress Reports
• Review of deliverables and acceptance
tests
The End
• I would like to invite any questions
• Main source of reference (Galin, 2004)