Process & Quality Assurance

Software processes, such as Rational Unified Process (RUP) or Extreme Programming (XP), have long been touted as the prime mechanism for reducing risk and improving quality in software development. And the benefits seem impressive – lowering costs, simplifying management, and improving quality... But in practice, many attempts at implementing software processes have turned out quite differently. Sometimes even with negative results on productivity.

Implementing a software process in a company or a project is not a trivial undertaking. The process needs to be adapted (or configured) for each particular project, and quality assurance cannot be neglected until the project ends. There are many pitfalls and common mistakes that can be avoided by choosing the correct workflows and working with an experienced process professional.

Services for Software Purchasers

Quality assurance activities are often neglected until a project delivers, leading to sporadic and random testing. Instead, testing should be planned and structured early on, and carried out in a continuous and repeatable fashion. I have experience from test leading, and have worked with several automated testing environment.

	Test Planning – Test procedures and plans should be created early in a project, making the rules clear to all involved parties. I analyze system requirements and design proposals, and decide which types of tests will be required as well as how to implement them.
	Test Automation – Automating tests take time and can be very complex. I provide experience from different testing frameworks and help create a fully or semi-automatic test setup.
	Usability Testing – Testing usability and user interface design is different from other types of testing. I offer various types of usability testing, depending on the requirement and prospective users.

Services for Software Contractors

Implementing a software process can be a dauting task, requiring a high level or expertise in software development. I have several years experience in implementing and configuring processes, and have worked both with development and management aspects. I'm certified in Rational Unified Process (RUP), although lately I've mostly worked with Extreme Programming (XP) and other agile methods.

	Mentoring – Configuring and monitoring the process can be difficult at first. I help configuring and tailoring the process after the project needs, and also make sure that the project follows the process.
	Iteration Planning – The development plan should be divided into iterations and milestone. I help you achieve a software development plan that is viable as well as measurable.
	Test & Validation – Using a software process does not relieve the project of the need to do proper testing. I offer various types of test planning and automatic setups, as well as usability testing.
	Deployment Design – Deployment is often not considered until the very end, causing unnecessary errors and difficulties. I help creating an automatic build and packaging environment, which makes deployment reproducible and easy.