InsideSpin.com

There are several different views and opinions. Let's hear yours.


Note* changed title from "Who is responsible for the quality of the software produced" to current title.

Everyone is responsible for quality of the software!

OK, so my last reply was a bit short.

I like the model where first and foremost, one person or team has the authority to stop product shipment if quality is below a certain threshold (usually measured by open issues or their ability to impact customer satisfaction. Having said that, it's not easy to exercise that authority unless there is a high degree of maturity around the business processes and people involved.

Product requirements should state the desired level of product quality, the testing team should certify to that level -- between the two, most of the responsibility lies. Accountability falls to Development, who owe it to the company to minimize costs for fixing up poorly coded issues. It is the software business after all, so we all know we learn some things as we go, we have unexpected permutations of user activity and system influences, so perfection is rarely achieved. No one should tolerate substandard quality but everyone in the process is responsible for achieving the goals set out.

LG

There are many operating model examples where anyone in the company can stop the production lines -- Sequent was one back in the day. The goal is to have someone who perhaps does not specifically have to worry about revenues or other aspects of company behavior able to stand up for product quality almost on a purity basis. It makes for confrontation which can be healthy depending on how it is moderated.

If the call on quality is in the wrong hands, products are often released so far below par that the impact is not measured and visible to the person who made the call -- basically, suck it up is the message the support teams and others hear. Look at Toyota -- i bet someone there knew about the problems but was overruled.

There is a famous business case study about the Space Shuttle Challenger where the engineering team did not want to launch in cold weather but were overruled by the people responsible for costs and the space station -- look what happened there?

Lovegolf

Those are interesting points.

I'd be curious to know your thoughts on this person's point of view
Testers: Get out of the Quality Assurance Business