process, configuration
management process, and risk management process can
achieve higher reliability.
Process Metrics
According to process metrics, software quality is a
direct function of software
process. Thus, it is advisable to use process metrics in estimating, monitoring,
and improving software quality and reliability through the ISO-9000
certification.
Fault and Failure Metrics
It is the objective of fault and failure metrics to determine when the software is
nearing failure-free execution. The collection,
summarization, and analysis of
the number of faults and failures reported by end users after software delivery
are important in achieving the objective. The effectiveness
of fault metrics is
highly related to the test strategy. If the test strategy does not include the
software’s full functionality, the software may fail once
delivered to clients even
though it passes all tests.
Software Reliability Testing Objectives
The primary goal of reliability testing is to ensure the software performs well
under certain conditions using its specifications and fixed procedures. Its
secondary goal is to search for a structure
of repeating failures, number of
failures within a certain period,
the mean life of the software, and the primary
cause of the failure. Lastly, its secondary objective is to check the performance
of the software units after pursuing preventive action.
In
drafting objectives, it is good to bear in mind that it is important to define
software behavior in certain condition. The objectives must consider time
constraints and must be feasible.
