Software Quality Assurance Checklist

Purpose:

The purpose of this software quality assurance (SQA) checklist is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date guide for ensuring the quality of software development processes and deliverables. It serves as a tool to help software development teams follow best practices, comply with local and regional regulations, and stay aligned with industry trends. In addition, the checklist aims to improve the quality, reliability, and maintainability of software products through effective quality assurance measures.

Scope:

The SQA Checklist covers a wide range of activities and requirements involved in the software development lifecycle. It includes aspects related to planning, documentation, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance of software systems. In addition, the checklist incorporates industry best practices, relevant regulations, and emerging trends to ensure that all crucial aspects of software quality assurance are considered.

To ensure software product quality, the production team members should provide the following responsibilities:

QA Manager

  • Develop a QA plan and communicate it to all stakeholders
  • Set QA goals and metrics, including quality standards and performance indicators
  • Ensure compliance with regulations, industry standards, and company policies
  • Monitor and evaluate the QA process, identifying areas for improvement
  • Report findings to upper management and make recommendations for improvement

QA Engineer

  • Formulate and implement comprehensive test plans and test cases to ensure thorough testing and evaluation
  • Identify and meticulously document any identified defects, collaborating closely with developers to effectively address and rectify them
  • Participate in reviews of software requirements, design, and code
  • Conduct automated and manual testing, and provide test reports
  • Evaluate and recommend testing tools and frameworks

Documentation Specialist

  • Develop and maintain QA documentation, including policies, procedures, and standards
  • Ensure documentation is up-to-date and reflects current industry standards
  • Work with stakeholders to establish documentation requirements
  • Participate in reviews of documentation and provide feedback

Product Owner

  • Define product requirements and specifications
  • Ensure product meets customer needs and expectations
  • Review and approve changes to product requirements
  • Work with the QA team to ensure product quality

Developer

  • Write and test code to meet product requirements
  • Work with the QA team to identify and resolve defects
  • Participate in reviews of software requirements, design, and code
  • Follow coding standards and best practices

User Acceptance Tester

  • Evaluate the product for usability and functionality
  • Identify and document defects and issues
  • Participate in reviews of software requirements, design, and code
  • Provide feedback to the development team and product owner

Note: This checklist is designed to provide a general framework for software quality assurance. It should be customized and expanded based on each project or organization's specific needs and requirements.

  1. 1

    Perform requirements analysis and planning

    • Review and understand the project requirements
    • Define quality objectives and metrics for the project
    • Plan the overall approach for quality assurance activities
    • Identify and document potential risks and mitigation strategies
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  2. 2

    Develop a documentation

    • Create and maintain accurate documentation throughout the development process
    • Ensure that requirements, design, test plans, and other relevant documents are complete, clear, and up-to-date
    • Verify that the documentation aligns with the project objectives and customer requirements
    • Regularly review and update the documentation as needed
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  3. 3

    Ensure that your processes are compliant with regulations and standards

    • Review and comply with local, regional, and industry-specific regulations
    • Ensure software accessibility and data privacy requirements are met
    • Maintain proper documentation and evidence of compliance
    • Continuously monitor and adapt to changes in relevant regulations
    • Ensure adherence to established development processes and standards
    • Verify that coding conventions, naming conventions, and architectural guidelines are followed
    • Conduct periodic audits to identify deviations and take corrective actions
    • Document and communicate process improvements as necessary
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  4. 4

    Perform development and code reviews

    • Use version control systems to manage source code
    • Perform regular code reviews to identify defects, maintain code quality, and promote knowledge sharing
    • Review code for readability, maintainability, performance, and security
    • Document and address identified issues and follow up on the resolution
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    Perform testing

    • Develop a comprehensive test plan that covers all functional and non-functional requirements
    • Conduct unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing
    • Automate tests where possible to improve efficiency and accuracy
    • Track and manage defects using a defect tracking system and ensure timely resolution
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    Ensure deployment and release

    • Establish a controlled environment for deploying software releases
    • Define release criteria and perform release readiness assessments
    • Conduct smoke tests and regression tests before each release
    • Ensure proper versioning and documentation of released software
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    Perform monitoring and maintenance

    • Monitor software performance and gather user feedback
    • Establish mechanisms for collecting and analyzing software usage data
    • Regularly update and maintain software to address issues and incorporate enhancements
    • Provide timely support and troubleshooting for software users
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    End