Title: A decision making framework for software total quality management

Authors: Noushin Ashrafi

Addresses: Department of Management Science and Information Systems, College, of Management, University of Massachusetts at Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125, USA

Abstract: To raise the issue of software quality is to invite controversy. While nobody denies its significance, its domain is murky, its cost effectiveness is questioned and even its very definition is far from settled. As a result, there is no agreement on how to actually achieve quality software. This study attempts to adopt the decision-making model of Herbert Simon, widely recognised in business management science, to address various aspects of software quality. Expanded by George Huber to five phases, this model covers problem solving in its entirety; that is, intelligence, design, choice, implementation, and monitoring. We will see how these phases can provide a framework to embed quality throughout the software development cycle and facilitate the total quality management of software production.

Keywords: software quality; decision model; total quality management; software development life cycle; cost of quality; quality assurance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1998.002666

International Journal of Technology Management, 1998 Vol.16 No.4/5/6, pp.532-543

Published online: 04 Jul 2003 *

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