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NEW: Problem#2 (of the final exam)

One of the main issues for people who are in the software testing business is that they are confused with some basic terms: software testing, software quality assurance and software verification and validation (for example, at this point, even after finishing more than half of this class, are you comfortable with those three terms?). Well, don’t blame me (how come you did not teach us this) or blame yourself (how come I missed this). The main reason for this confusion, at least in my own opinion/insight, is that the software industry/academia of this discipline is still not mature enough and it borrowed “things” from other industries. For instance, many concepts and definitions related to QA and V&V may come from the pharmaceutical industry (driven by FDA rules). Many V & V concepts may come from system engineers (most of them are electrical engineers) who developed the nation’s aerospace industry. Furthermore, our industry/academia also borrowed lots concepts from the manufacturing/automobile industry - do you ever feel uneasy when people talk about software quality control? Don’t be. We simply borrowed the “quality control” term from the Japanese automobile industry and plug it in to our industry (not a good fit, or at least, not a good name, in my opinion).  What should we do for now? Just wait and see until our own industry becomes mature enough? As I always proclaimed – don’t blindly follow other people’s opinions, come up with your own. Btw, developing your own insights probably is the easiest and most effective way of learning new stuff.   Okay, need to go back to the problem. Your job in this problem is to come up with a 30 to 45-minute of ppt and mp3 presentation (NO doc file – no need to write an essay) that tries to put those three terms (software testing, software quality assurance , and software verification and validation) into prospective.

FAQs:

Q.  What is the title for this Problem#2 Presentation?

A. You are free to come up with your title as long as it contains those three terms.

Q. What do you mean “putting those three terms into prospective”?

A. Let me quote a line I got from some online dictionary – “If you put something into perspective, you show that you realize or make others realize the importance/significance of the thing you are referring to. Alternatively, it means you put the thing into its correct place (or make it clear for you and others).”

Q. I guess that I can clearly explain each individual term (Software Testing , V&V and SQA) without relating it to other two terms. Is this what you want?

A. No. It is very easy to explain the individual term without mention other two terms. This test is not desiged to test your memorization of what you read from the textbook. The most interesting part of this problem is not how to explain those terms individually but the relationship among those terms.

Q.  Can I make it 60 minutes (I really enjoy this problem and want to share more of my own insights)?

A. Sure, be my guest, if you really have some passion in it. Nevertheless, please don’t use this strategy just to gain more “points” – I won’t buy your “busy ” work.

Q. I tried my best and I can only come up with a 20-minute presentation. Is this acceptable?

A. It is your call. For a short presentation I do need to make sure it is not because “lack-of-effort.” As long as I don’t conclude that it is a case of “lack-of-effort”, you are fine.

Q. I think this problem is a fair one. But, I have no idea on how to proceed from here. Any hints?

A.  I suggest that you “fast read” the following IEEE standards (11207-2008, 1012-2012, 829-2008, and 730-2002). For your convenience, I have uploaded all those standards to the class website (since all of us have a legitimate access right to all IEEE standards). (If you prefer to download them from the IEEE xplore directly, please be my guest).

Q. Dr. Chen, this is too much! I look at the IEEE standards you mentioned – they add up fast. We are talking about all together more than 500 pages of reading. Are you sure what you are doing/asking?

A. Yes. I am very sure. You really need to pick up the skill of reading ONLY the things you need. Don’t read line-by-line. Have a target and then go in. Zoom out first to scan the landscape and then zoom in only to the area you need to know. I think that most of you may have a career plan to become a software architect (see http://money.cnn.com/pf/best-jobs/2012/snapshots/3.html ). If you can’t shake off the habit of reading line-by-line, how can you understand thousands, if not million, lines of source code? Try to sharpen your ability of performing abstraction (i.e., zoom in and out).  Well , if you don’t buy my argument, at least, you have read 829-2008 already and 730-2002 is very short.

Q. Dr. Chen. I read them (IEEE standards) all. But, I still do not know how to start. Can you give us more help?

A. Yes. I have also posted a presentation by Edward Addy of Northrop (also see: http://www.aphsa-ism.org/Conference/Doc/2007%20ISM%20Conference%20Presentations/Session%202-5_IV&V%20and%20QA_Addy%20and%20Finmand.pdf). In this presentation Dr. Addy gave some of his insights that may give you a good starting point (this file has been posted on the class website for your convenience).

Q. Can I use references other than (or in addition to) the ones you mentioned?

A. Yes. I strongly encourage that.

Q. I like the final problems you come up with (very interesting). Unfortunately, I have a very busy work schedule toward the end of the year (and plus, you know, family , wife, kids, …). Do I need to worry about failing the class?

A. Same as you I understand that life is tough. But, for better or worse, we all have to live it through. If you face difficult choices, don’t panic and keep a cool head. Although this class promotes high standards (excellence), it only uses the “lack-of-effort” as the main reason to fail students. If you want to play safe, it is to your advantage to make sure that your work does not give an impression of “lack-of-effort.” (If I can’t “accuse” you of “lack-of-effort”, I have to pass you.) That being said, even you decide to play safe, I still encourage you to contemplate the problem a bit. (If you are interested in the question itself, sooner or later, you will form your own insights.)

Q. After I am done with this problem. May I turn it in now?

A. No. You have to wait for the final week. I will provide detailed instructions on how to turn in all the final exam problems. 

Q. May I discuss this problem with other people?

A. No. Please also see previous FAQs on the fairness of the exam.

Q. I have further questions. May I email you?

A. Yes. You are definitely welcome to contact me.