KC 10 - Outsourcing, COTS and Contracting Quality - CONTENTS

2006 CSQA Body of Knowledge
Knowledge Category 10

Outsourcing, COTS and Contracting Quality

Organizations can assign software development work responsibilities to outside organizations through purchasing software or contracting services; but they cannot assign the responsibility for quality. Quality of software remains an internal IT responsibility regardless of who builds the software. The quality professionals need to assure that those quality responsibilities are fulfilled through appropriate processes for acquiring purchased software and contracting for software services.

Quality and Outside Software

Purchased (COTS) Software — the documentation may not correspond to the software source code.
Outsourced Software — the contractual provisions will determine whether the acquiring organization can perform verification activities during development; and the ability to obtain source code.

Selecting COTS Software

Assure Completeness of Needs Requirements
Define Critical Success Factor
Determine Compatibility with Hardware, Operating System, and other COTS Software
Assure the Software can be Integrated into Your Business System Work Flow
Demonstrate the Software in Operation
Evaluate People Fit
Acceptance Test the Software Process

Selecting Software Developed by Outside Organizations

Contracting Life Cycle
Developing Selection Criteria

Contracting for Software Developed by Outside Organizations

Contract Negotiations

Operating for Software Developed by Outside Organizations

Acceptance Testing