I am a little bit rusty with the whole standard business, but i need to get an overview on standards that exist for the producers of software.

To cut to the chase, my question would be what is the most relevant standard for software producers?

I cant really see the advantage in applying for the Tickit Scheme. I understand it is exactly the same at the new ISO 9000;2000, just accredited by a different people. Is this true?

I note the discussions about ISO 17799, this seems to be relevant to software security only. and not development (im surprised this isnt part of the main ISO 9000:2000 standard).

Is there a particular part of ISO 9000:2000 that is relevant to software development.

All thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

Andy,

Have you considered CMM?

I believe ISO9K2K does not have any particular section that is relevant specifically to software development. The standard is applicable as a whole. ( In old days, there used to be ISO 9000-3)

There are other methodologies, such as

SPICE:Software Process Improvement and Capability dEtermination
XP:Extreme Programming

Bootstrap, Trillium etc.

I do not know if you can get 'accredited' for these as such.

I have never heard of CMM, SPICE or XP.

Thanks for info

Andy

What about the ISO/IEC 14598 Series?

My searching on this topic has told me.

SPICE is an autmotive software for Supplier Selection
XP - Could not find anything
CMM - Capability Maturity Model, rings a distant bell, must check further.
ISO/IEC 14598 Series - Couldnt find anything

Here's what a search of the ISO website turned up... (http://www.iso.org/iso/en/StandardsQueryFormHandler.StandardsQueryFormHandler?languageCode=en&keyword=software&lastSearch=false&title=true&isoNumber=&isoPartNumber=&isoDocType=ALL&ICS=&stageCode=&stageDate=&committee=ALL&subcommittee=&scope=CATALOGUE&sortOrder=ISO)

SEI CMM
http://www.sei.cmu.edu/cmm/cmm.html

XP
http://www.extremeprogramming.org/

SPICE
http://www.sqi.gu.edu.au/spice/

Bootstrap
http://www.bootstrap-institute.com/

Trillium
http://www2.umassd.edu/swpi/BellCanada/trillium-html/trillium.html

Cleanroom
http://www.sei.cmu.edu/activities/str/descriptions/cleanroom_body.html
http://www.rspa.com/spi/cleanroom.html

http://www.softwareqatest.com/qatfaq1.html
http://www.softwareqatest.com/qatlnks1.html

Also: ISO/IEC TR 15504

There are a lot of standards and a lot of different methodologies. If a software company is looking for certification, IMO, ISO 9K is a good first step. I have heard that it is 'equivalent' to CMM Level 3.

Many thanks for all the help and links, i am working my way through them.

Interesting world IT. I am currently working with an IT company, and their method of operation appears to my eyes to be ...er... ad hoc. I never thought that i would hear in the 21 century 'We dont have time to test a product properly'...'its easier to release the product then solve the problems later...' This industry has some maturing to do.

I suppose i am now able to define my questions a little better. I would simply like this company to be better defining its customers requirements, work to a project plan, do intermediate testing and final release etc. For this purpose, if i want to apply a standard, it seems that ISO 9000:2000 is good enough.

I am wondering a little about the design of the aoftware. Currently it literally goes from the customers head into a peice of software code. i was sure that in the year 2003 there must be a more analytical way of designing software, maybe using a more advanced form of flowcharts.

Thanks for help so far.

BTW For anybody else wandering down the same road as me from Atuls links above this is a good start/overview http://www.softwareqatest.com/qatfaq1.html#FAQ1_1

PS Isnt it rare to find something written in plain English these days, or am i thick?

Originally posted by Andy Bassett
PS Isnt it rare to find something written in plain English these days...?

Even though the following link applies to ISO 9001-1994 it may help you some...

ISO 9000-3 1997 Guidelines in Plain English: Guidelines for Applying ISO 9001 1994 to Computer Software (http://www.praxiom.com/iso-9000-3.htm)

BTW Atul, i spent last Christmas in Kowalam Junction, Kerala. Had a very interesting relaxing time.

Originally posted by Andy Bassett
BTW Atul, i spent last Christmas in Kowalam Junction, Kerala. Had a very interesting relaxing time.

Ah, just missed you by about 750 miles!:cool:

Never been there myself.:( I understand Kowalam has some divine beaches and Kerala of course is called "God's Own Country".