ISO-IEC 25091:2014, also known as the Systems and Software Engineering - Systems and Software Quality Requirements and Evaluation (SQUARE) - Measurement of External Quality Characteristics of Software Products, is an international standard that provides guidelines for evaluating the quality of software products. It was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to establish a comprehensive approach to assessing the performance and reliability of software.
Understanding the Scope
The scope of ISO-IEC 25091:2014 encompasses various aspects of software quality evaluation, particularly external quality characteristics. These characteristics include functionality, reliability, usability, efficiency, maintainability, and portability. The standard defines specific metrics and methods for measuring these qualities, enabling organizations to assess and compare software products objectively. By following the guidelines outlined in ISO-IEC 25091:2014, companies can make informed decisions about their software procurement and development processes based on evidence-driven data.
The Importance of External Quality Characteristics
The external quality characteristics of software products play a vital role in determining their overall effectiveness and user satisfaction. Functionality measures the extent to which the software meets specified requirements and performs its intended tasks. Reliability focuses on the product's ability to deliver accurate results consistently without failures or disruptions. Usability refers to the ease of use and user-friendliness of the software interface. Efficiency evaluates the resource consumption and performance efficiency of the product. Maintainability assesses the ease with which the software can be modified or adapted to meet changing needs. Lastly, portability measures the software's compatibility across different platforms and environments.
Benefits and Applications
The adoption of ISO-IEC 25091:2014 brings several benefits to organizations in various industries. By adhering to the standard's guidelines, software vendors can ensure the delivery of high-quality products that meet customer expectations and comply with industry standards. For software development teams, the standard offers a systematic approach to evaluating their own products, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing quality enhancements. Additionally, organizations can use the standardized metrics and methods provided by ISO-IEC 25091:2014 to assess and compare different software products, enabling better decision-making during procurement processes.