Vision 2020: The Future of Software Quality Management and Impacts on Global User Acceptance

Abstract

Abstract. This paper explores the future evolution of software quality management (SQM), testing, and global user acceptance approaches keeping in mind the evolution in software and technology quality management in general, including new technologies and the increasing adoption of new software development life cycle methodologies such as Agile and Scaled Agile. These evolutions are forcing quality organizations to change the way they approach software quality processes, including increased outsourcing of development, and the need to update traditional testing and user acceptance testing approaches which lag behind with manual and invasive techniques. User acceptance as we know it today must evolve.This discussion about evolution should deemphasize the role of the end user in "testing" and emphasize the end user's role in acceptance, adoption, and ability to influence the quality and usability of software much further upstream in the development life cycle. User acceptance teams should increase their role in user experience, the development of usability standards, non-invasive automation techniques gathering usage data, etc. All of these mechanisms should increase the ability of the end user to influence product quality and enhance the user experience and acceptance. Perceptions of end user's participation in user acceptance events need to be transformed away from just another cycle of software testing. User acceptance should not be about testing, but about validating that the end user needs and expectations have been met. All testing and other quality processes should be completed and defects corrected before the end user is engaged in the process of "accepting" the deliverable.Thus, this effort will explore the future of SQM and its impacts on global user acceptance. We will discuss how organizations involve users throughout the development life cycle to facilitate adoption, user experience, and usability of new technologies. This discussion will be embedded in the use of futuristic new technologies and development methodologies. To explore these notions, this study gathers input from technology visionaries about best practices approaches for facilitating SQM and user acceptance throughout the development life cycle.