Software Quality Assurance (SQA)

Software Quality Assurance, also called SQA, is a way to make sure that software works properly and gives correct results. It focuses on checking the process of making software, not only the final product. When developers follow good quality steps, the software becomes more reliable and safe to use.

This topic matters because almost every company today depends on software, such as mobile apps, websites, and office systems. If software quality is poor, users lose trust and companies lose money.

Daily life example:
If you order food using a mobile app and the app crashes during payment, you will feel frustrated. SQA helps developers avoid such problems by checking quality from the beginning.

Key points

• SQA checks how software is made

• Focuses on quality from start to end

• Reduces errors and failures

Quality Planning and Control

Quality Planning

Quality planning means deciding in advance how to achieve good quality in software. The team plans rules, methods, and standards before starting work. This helps everyone understand what level of quality they must achieve. Good planning saves time and cost because fewer mistakes happen later. Companies use quality planning to avoid confusion and rework during development.

Real-life example:
Before exams, you make a study plan with subjects and time. This plan helps you score better. In the same way, quality planning helps software teams build better software.

Key points

• Done before software development

• Sets quality goals and rules

• Reduces future problems

Quality Control

Quality control means checking the work regularly to ensure it follows the plan. The team tests software parts and reviews work during development. If they find mistakes, they fix them immediately. This step keeps quality under control and prevents small issues from becoming big problems.

Daily example:
While cooking, you taste food again and again to check salt. This is quality control.

Key points

• Checks work during development

• Finds and fixes errors early

• Ensures planned quality

Quality Improvement Process

Quality improvement means making software better step by step. Even if software works, teams try to improve speed, safety, and user experience. They learn from past mistakes and feedback from users. This process continues even after software release. It helps companies stay competitive and keep users happy.

Mobile app example:
Apps like WhatsApp release updates to fix bugs and add better features. This is quality improvement.

Key points

• Continuous process

• Uses feedback and experience

• Improves performance and reliability

Exam Tip 📝
Quality improvement never stops. It continues even after software release.

Evolution of Software Quality Assurance

In the early days, developers checked software only after completing it. This caused many failures and high costs. Slowly, companies realised that quality must be checked during development, not at the end. Today, SQA is a complete process that starts from planning and continues till maintenance. This evolution made software more reliable and user-friendly.

College example:
Earlier, students studied only before exams. Now, continuous tests and assignments improve learning. SQA evolved in a similar way.

Key points

• Earlier: testing at the end

• Now: quality at every stage

• Focus shifted to prevention

Major SQA Activities

SQA activities are the main tasks done to maintain quality. These activities guide the team and keep development on the right path. They ensure that everyone follows standards and procedures. Without these activities, quality becomes inconsistent and unreliable.

Activities include

• Reviewing plans and documents

• Testing software regularly

• Checking rules and standards

• Training team members

Workplace example:
In offices, regular meetings and reports ensure work quality. SQA activities do the same for software.

Major SQA Issues

SQA faces many challenges in real projects. Sometimes teams ignore quality to save time. Sometimes requirements change again and again. Lack of skilled staff also affects quality. These issues make SQA difficult but not impossible. Understanding these problems helps students answer exam questions clearly.

Common issues

• Time pressure

• Poor planning

• Changing requirements

• Lack of training

Exam Tip 📝
Questions often ask about problems in SQA. Write 3–4 points clearly.

Zero Defect Software

Zero defect software means trying to make software without errors. It does not mean mistakes never happen, but the goal is to avoid defects as much as possible. Teams focus on prevention instead of correction. This idea improves discipline and responsibility among developers.

Real-life example:
A bank app must show correct balance every time. Even a small error can cause big loss.

Key points

• Aim for no defects

• Focus on prevention

• Improves user trust

SQA Techniques

SQA techniques are methods used to ensure quality. Teams use these techniques to check work and improve processes. Each technique helps find different types of problems. Using multiple techniques gives better results.

Common techniques

• Reviews and inspections

• Testing software

• Following standards

• Using checklists

College example:
Teachers check notebooks, take tests, and give feedback. These are quality techniques in education.

Statistical Quality Assurance

Statistical Quality Assurance uses numbers and data to measure quality. Teams collect data about errors and performance. They analyse this data to understand patterns and improve quality. This method helps in making correct decisions based on facts, not guesses.

Simple example:
If a delivery app shows late delivery 5 times in a week, the company studies the data to fix the issue.

Key points

• Uses data and numbers

• Helps find repeated errors

• Supports better decisions

Total Quality Management (TQM)

Total Quality Management means everyone is responsible for quality. It includes managers, developers, and testers. The focus is on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. TQM builds a quality culture inside the organisation.

Daily life example:
In a restaurant, cleanliness, food, service, and billing all affect quality. Everyone contributes.

Key points

• Quality is everyone’s duty

• Focus on customer satisfaction

• Continuous improvement

Quality Standards and Processes

Quality standards are rules and guidelines that help maintain quality. Processes are step-by-step methods to follow these rules. Standards ensure consistency, while processes ensure discipline. Companies follow standards to gain customer trust and global recognition.

Example:
Online shopping apps follow security standards to protect payments.

Key points

• Standards guide quality

• Processes ensure correct steps

• Improve trust and reliability

Important Tables for Quick Learning

Difference between Quality Control and Quality Assurance

Quality Control	Quality Assurance
Checks product	Checks process
Finds defects	Prevents defects
Done during work	Done from start

SQA Techniques vs SQA Activities

SQA Techniques	SQA Activities
Methods used	Tasks performed
Testing, review	Planning, monitoring
Improve quality	Maintain quality

Possible Exam Questions

Short Answer Questions

• Define Software Quality Assurance

• What is quality planning?

• Explain zero defect software

Long Answer Questions

• Explain major SQA activities

• Discuss SQA techniques with examples

• Explain Total Quality Management

Remember This 📌

• SQA focuses on process, not only product

• Quality planning saves time and cost

• Continuous improvement is very important

Detailed Summary for Revision

Software Quality Assurance ensures that software works correctly and meets user needs. It starts with quality planning, where teams decide rules and goals. Quality control checks work during development to avoid mistakes. Over time, SQA evolved from final testing to continuous quality management. Major SQA activities include planning, testing, and review. Issues like time pressure and lack of training affect quality. Concepts like zero defect software and Total Quality Management focus on prevention and responsibility. Statistical methods help measure quality using data. Standards and processes guide teams and build trust. Overall, SQA helps students understand how good software is built and why quality matters in real jobs.

Final Takeaway 🧠

👉 Good software = Good planning + Continuous checking + Team responsibility