CpSc 372
Assignment
9
Fault
Models, QA, and Open Source
Description:
A large amount of software is now being developed in an open source, community environment. Test plans are based on underlying assumptions about what faults are possible. In fact these fault models underlie all of the quality assurance activities in an organization. In this assignment you will explore how to research the appropriate models for a QA effort. OATS is an open source project being created in the context of a larger open source project, Eclipse. We need to explore current knowledge about QA in an open source environment. In a development organization you will be asked to explore issues and condense them for the rest of the team.
Steps:
1. Explore the issues about quality assurance in an open
source development project. Collect information, analyze that information, and
distill it for a busy manager.
2. Develop a memo that outlines the issues and possible
changes to normal QA actions needed in an open source environment.
3. Here are some starting points:
b. www.jisc.ac.uk/uploaded_documents/Draft_JISC_Software_Quality_Assurance_Policy.doc
c. istlab.dmst.aueb.gr/~george/pubs/2006-OSS-GKAG/paper.pdf
d.
4. Deliver a memo, of no more than 4 pages, that
summarizes the information we need to write the Quality Assurance plan for the
OATS project. The JISC document has a small outline as a starting point for the
policy document.
This is a 2 person team assignment. Email is
due Tuesday, November 21, 2006 no
later than 1:30 pm.
Grading will be based on
1. Completeness
2. Correctness
3. Consistency
4. Any value added beyond the basic assignment
5. Ability to follow directions about delivery
Points: 3