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Studies of Quality Assurance for the Communications Industry: Metrics, Models and Management

Trott, RW; (2013) Studies of Quality Assurance for the Communications Industry: Metrics, Models and Management. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Quality Directors, aware that poor quality causes software project failure wasting billions worldwide, need to implement strategies that minimise costs, are practical and scalable. This is especially important in communications systems software where failures can lead to loss of service and consequential loss of revenue. This research examines relevant development models, standards and literature, often having conflicting biases, merits and drawbacks. A new model, driven by quality, is proposed in this thesis taking an amalgam of the best features and practices by reexamining the definitions of quality and the anatomy of software development from a quality perspective. The key practices and tools necessary to drive the minimisation of defect injection and maximise defect discovery are studied and a new quality model developed. To avoid overlap and gaps, the filtered defect types for each of the practices and tools are examined and crucially appropriate metrics applied. The metrics are critically selected and emerging new tools enabling more efficient defect discovery and metrics are considered. The new model, termed ‘the defect filtration process’, is made relevant and visible to the whole organisation by ensuring that poor quality is not only measured in the currency of the number of defects discovered by customers, but in the estimated costs and progressive savings trends. Highly visible, organisationally aligned, efficient and stakeholder-relevant metrics are published and presented to the entire organisation including the Board. The metric development process is generic and shown to be relevant not only to software development but the entire maintenance phase. The effectiveness of the new model is demonstrated using a 3G small-cell case study where the cost savings in the first 9 months of implementation amounted to over £1.5M. The case study also illustrates the extensibility of the model where there is complexity and exacting performance demands from the telecommunications industry.

Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Title: Studies of Quality Assurance for the Communications Industry: Metrics, Models and Management
Language: English
Additional information: Permission for digitisation not received.
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Electronic and Electrical Eng
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1411482
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