Certification in Detail
The world is full of certificates. The purpose of a certificate is to give written assurance that the product has been evaluated by a qualified party in a neutral and repeatable way, and has thereby been shown to meet relevant evaluation criteria. A certificate is evidence of quality, gives confidence and provides an objective basis for agreement and comparison.
In collaboration with TÜV Informationstechnik (TÜViT), SIG offers the certification of the maintainability of software products as defined by the international standard ISO/IEC 9126. After evaluation by SIG, software products can now be certified by TÜViT and awarded the quality mark TÜViT Trusted Product Maintainability.
The evaluation criteria
To determine eligibility for certification, the maintainability of a software product is measured by automated source code analysis. The measurement model is based on ISO/IEC 9126, draws on extensive worldwide scientific research and has been developed and validated within SIG’s assessment practice. It is a layered model, that starts by measuring quantifiable properties of software systems, such as volume, complexity, and duplication. Measurements are then aggregated into quality profiles, mapped to ratings for systems properties, matched to ISO/IEC 9126 quality characteristics, and summarized in an overall rating on a five star rating system.
The certificate is designed to complement certificates such as CMMI. Where CMMI relates to repeatable processes, the certification by SIG and TÜViT relates to sustainable and transparent product quality.
The evaluation process
The evaluation process starts by submission of the source code of the software product and a high-level product description to the evaluation laboratory of SIG. These are evaluated by SIG using automated source code analysis and document review. Products are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Products with 3 stars or more are eligible for certification.
Based on the measurements and ratings, SIG prepares the evaluation report which is supplied to the TÜViT certification body. Based on the report, TÜViT awards a certificate to the software product and assigns the quality mark “TÜViT Trusted Product Maintainability” (see diagram below).
How to use
Software product certification is used in various situations. It is an instrument for mitigating risks in software development, delivery, deployment, maintenance, and operation. A software product certification program sets clear targets for software quality improvement. During product selection, certification enables clear comparisons between competing software products in terms of their technical quality. In case of outsourcing, product certification enables transfer of software systems between parties without ambiguity regarding quality. Certification provides an objective basis for managing client-vendor relationships and helps to formulateservice level agreements regarding product quality.
We foresee a future where software quality will be transparent for all stakeholders. Every stakeholder can make informed decisions due to this transparency. The willingness to invest further in IT will increase, since clients will know what to demand from vendors. Systems will last longer at lower cost and risk. Vendors will demonstrate their quality. All parties will benefit.
The certificates awarded can be viewed using the following link:
http://www.tuvit.de/english/69055.asp
Contact us for more information.
In collaboration with TÜV Informationstechnik (TÜViT), SIG offers the certification of the maintainability of software products as defined by the international standard ISO/IEC 9126. After evaluation by SIG, software products can now be certified by TÜViT and awarded the quality mark TÜViT Trusted Product Maintainability.
The evaluation criteria
To determine eligibility for certification, the maintainability of a software product is measured by automated source code analysis. The measurement model is based on ISO/IEC 9126, draws on extensive worldwide scientific research and has been developed and validated within SIG’s assessment practice. It is a layered model, that starts by measuring quantifiable properties of software systems, such as volume, complexity, and duplication. Measurements are then aggregated into quality profiles, mapped to ratings for systems properties, matched to ISO/IEC 9126 quality characteristics, and summarized in an overall rating on a five star rating system.
The certificate is designed to complement certificates such as CMMI. Where CMMI relates to repeatable processes, the certification by SIG and TÜViT relates to sustainable and transparent product quality.
The evaluation process
The evaluation process starts by submission of the source code of the software product and a high-level product description to the evaluation laboratory of SIG. These are evaluated by SIG using automated source code analysis and document review. Products are rated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Products with 3 stars or more are eligible for certification.
Based on the measurements and ratings, SIG prepares the evaluation report which is supplied to the TÜViT certification body. Based on the report, TÜViT awards a certificate to the software product and assigns the quality mark “TÜViT Trusted Product Maintainability” (see diagram below).
How to use
Software product certification is used in various situations. It is an instrument for mitigating risks in software development, delivery, deployment, maintenance, and operation. A software product certification program sets clear targets for software quality improvement. During product selection, certification enables clear comparisons between competing software products in terms of their technical quality. In case of outsourcing, product certification enables transfer of software systems between parties without ambiguity regarding quality. Certification provides an objective basis for managing client-vendor relationships and helps to formulateservice level agreements regarding product quality.
We foresee a future where software quality will be transparent for all stakeholders. Every stakeholder can make informed decisions due to this transparency. The willingness to invest further in IT will increase, since clients will know what to demand from vendors. Systems will last longer at lower cost and risk. Vendors will demonstrate their quality. All parties will benefit.
The certificates awarded can be viewed using the following link:
http://www.tuvit.de/english/69055.asp
Contact us for more information.