The Guide notes that the term carries several meanings. Product characteristics, the degree to which a product has those characteristics, and the processes, tools, and techniques used to achieve them may all be called quality. A more recent definition of product quality is the capability of a software product to satisfy stated and implied needs under specified conditions. The knowledge area discusses the quality-management process and the quality-assurance process separately. Verification and validation, testing, and technical reviews and audits appear under the quality-assurance process.[1]
The Guide's top-level topics for this knowledge area are:
- Software Quality Fundamentals
- Software Quality Management Process
- Software Quality Assurance Process
- Software Quality Tools
Related standards listed in the Guide's appendix include ISO/IEC/IEEE 90003:2018.[1]