SQA Process and Steps

Steps of SQA process

1. Initiate SQA Process
2. Planning
3. Tracking
4. Training
5. Reviews
6. Issue Resolution
7. Testing
8. Audit
9. Process Improvement

1-Initiate SQA Process

QA manager to initiate SQA process for a project, once a P&C is signed off and a formal request is received from Director IT.
This sub process covers the initiation of SQA process for complete SDLC. An estimation file is made to estimate SQA resources.

Following Tasks will be performed at this stage

• Director IT will send a formal request to QA Manager through email for implementation of SQA process.

• QAM arrange resources, initiate SQA Process and performs SQA activities.

• Interaction with Customers SQA personnel as per request

Following personal will be involved

• Director IT
• QA Manager
• QA Team Lead

2.Planning

• The sub-process enables planning for SQA activities.

• SQA group selects the activities for which to develop Plan(s), according to project and departmental needs.

• Is made at the initial stage of SDLC

• Define an organization, task and responsibilities within SQA process

Following Tasks will be performed at this stage

• Estimation of SQA activities will be done by the SQA Team.

• The cost and work breakdown will be done by the SQA team.

• The Timelines (in MS Project Format) will be made.

• QA Team Lead will give an orientation to the SEG about QALC.

• Activities are identified which have to be planned.

• Resources are assigned for planning

• QA TL prepares SQA + Test Plans.

• Plans placed in VSS, Notification to PC / PM.

• Plans are distributed to affected groups.

Following personal will be involved

• Project Manager

• QA Manager

• QA Team Lead

• Project Coordinator

• HR Department

Test Plan:

This plan focuses on controlled and managed test activities for any software work product.

This Plan is developed normally when FS and Design phases are completed.

Tasks Perform at this stage are:

• TL prepare Test Plan.
• Size and Cost estimation is performed.
• Review report is generated and placed in VSS.
• QAM will approve the Test Plan.
• Plans are distributed to affected groups.

Personals Involved at this stage are:

• Project Manager
• QA Manager
• QA Team Lead
• Project Coordinator

APPROACHES:

• Black and White Box Testing.
• Acceptance Testing.
• Integration Testing.         1 Small         2 Large

• Non-Functional System Testing.
• Functional System Testing.
• Component Testing (Unit Testing).
• Maintenance Testing.
• System Testing.
• Shipment Assurance Testing.

QUALITY OBJECTIVES:

Developer’s Perspective

• Correctness / Reliability / Accuracy
• Integrity
• Efficiency
• Maintainability
• Reusability

User’s Perspective

• Usability
• Understandability
• Robustness
• Adaptability
• Reports can be obtained

3- Tracking

This sub-process is used to track deviations and monitor progress against different plans, which can result into updating the timelines, reassignment of tasks.

Tasks Perform at this stage are:

• Tracking activities for SQA and Test Plan.
• Progress Review Meeting is conducted.
• Progress Review Report is prepared and stored in VSS.
• If status meeting is postponed then give reason.
• Deviations are recorded in tracking report.
• PM will be presented SQA Analysis report on monthly basis.
• Tracking report is placed in VSS.
• Report against deviation is also generated.
• Deviations are identified and issued to affected groups.
• Issues will be forwarded to Issue Resolution.
• Status report is dist. and cost effective sheet prepared.

Personals Involved at this stage are:

• Project Manager
• QA Manager
• QA Team Lead
• Project Coordinator

4- Training

This sub-process includes Project specific and QA specific training.

• Project specific training can be an orientation / training of a specific design tool for a specific project.
• QA specific training can be an introduction to expertise that is required to perform activities beyond the existing skill set.

Tasks Perform at this stage are:

• Request for Training is placed or training needs are identified.
• After review SQA Manager forwards the request to training manager.
• SQAM/TL performs all the required coordination.
• SQAM/TL implement training plan.
• Feedback is provided by the affected group after training and updated in training program repository.

Personals Involved at this stage are:

• QA Manager
• QA Team Lead

5- Reviews

The sub-process performs Peer reviews and Reviews at the project-level.

• Peer Reviews will be performed for software related work products i.e. (SQA Plan, Test Plan, Test Cases and Code (Optional)).
• The objective of peer reviews is to remove defects from the products early and efficiently. The results of the peer review are recorded and passed on to the author or person responsible for correcting defects discovered during the review.
• Reviews at the project-level are necessary to determine that items are consistent, correct and of acceptable quality.

Personals Involved at this stage are:

• QA Manager
• QA Engineers
• QA Team Lead
• Project Manager
• Project Coordinator

Tasks Perform at this stage are:

• All the reviews will be performed as per plan.
• Team lead will prepare RSSR and then updates it accordingly.
• Review meeting is confirmed with the Review Team.
• Review team members prepare review-report-points prior to meeting using the respective Review Check List available in PAD. That check list will be made available along with the software related work product.
• Software Related Work Product is reviewed during review meeting.
• After preparation and verification of Review Report team lead will update the respective RSSR.
• A status is given to the work product being reviewed
This status can be: 

-Accepted (To proceed forward for Approval)

-Needs Rework (Rework required and then verification should be done)

-Rejected (New work product is to be prepared). 

-In case of any issue, “Issue Resolution” sub-process will be followed.

6- Issue Resolution

The sub process will help to resolve issues that can come across while performing SQA activities; these issues will be escalated or resolved.

Is nonconformity or a deviation against standards, resolution of which cannot be agreed upon between SQA team and affected group while performing different SQA activities like Planning, Reviews, Audits and Testing.

Personals Involved at this stage are:

• QA Manager
• QA Engineers
• QA Team Lead
• Project Manager
• Senior Management

Tasks Perform at this stage are:

• ‘Issue Escalation and Resolution report’ and ‘Issue Tracking report’ are generated when unresolved issues are confronted.
• SQA TL notifies affected groups about the meeting using these reports.
• During meeting if issues resolved then TL updates VSS with these reports.
• If remain unresolved then escalated to next management level.
• Even then if issue is not resolved then preventive actions process are initiated.

7- Testing

SQA assures that formal software testing is done in accordance with plans and procedures.
SQA reviews testing documentation for completeness and adherence to standards.
By test monitoring, SQA assures software completeness and readiness for delivery by executing shipment assurance testing.

Personals Involved at this stage are:

• QA Manager
• QA Engineers
• Project Manager
• Project Coordinator

Tasks Perform at this stage are:

• Testing approach as defined in test plan.
• Domain knowledge acquired.
• TSSR will be made by TL.
• QAE develop Test case.
• Test cases executed (Unit, Integration, System).
• Results are generated as fault reports and escalated to AG.
• Dev review fault reports and verified after rework.
• TSSR will be updated with every iteration.
• Application delivered to client as per release management process.

8- Audit

• The sub-process is a fundamental quality assurance technique.
• Audit will be conducted for all software engineering activities to verify compliance against:

1. Standards
2. Processes
3. Procedures

• Conformance of development processes to procedures and conformance of product to standards.
• Also examines conformance of actual status to reported status.

AUDIT TYPES

• Organizational based audits (after every three month)
• Project based audits (after every Two months)
• Event driven Audits

Personals Involved at this stage are:

• Project Manager
• QA Manager
• QA Engineers
• QA Team Lead
• Project Coordinator

Tasks Perform at this stage are:

• Audit should be according to plan.
• TL makes and afterwards updates ASSR.
• Audit checklist will be customized and used to conduct audit.
• Audit will be conducted.
• Audit report will be published.

1. PM, Sr. Mgt. -> Project based
2. -QE, Sr. Mgt. -> Organizational Based

Affected Groups are informed of NCR by mail
Hard copy of Non Conformance Report (NCR) is created and duly signed by Software Engineering Group (SEG).
NCR report is created and unresolved issues are escalated in issue resolution.

9- Process Improvement

• Critical function of SQA is Process Improvement.

• This sub-process includes research and development need of SQA which results into improved processes, checklist and guidelines.

Personals Involved at this stage are:

• QA Manager
• QA Engineers
• Quality Engineering

Tasks perform at this stage are:

• SQA periodically review Software process and improvement activities.
• QAE / Dev / Mgt generate process improvement request.
• QAM review process improvement request.
• QAM accept / reject process improvement Request.
• Findings are prepared.
• QAM will approve and review the recommendations and forwarded to QE.
• Reports will be posted in VSS.