Case study: independent software audits using IEEE QA standards by the American bar association

The America bar association (ABA) has performed functional and physical configuration audits, with some independent verification and validation testing, on over 40 software applications over the last three years. The purpose of this effort is to provide the legal profession with a degree of reliance on product quality similar to the underwriters laboratories seal of approval. Approved systems are reported on in an in-depth manner to assist a purchaser´s decision-making. The methodology of applying the IEEE standards for software quality assurance and the practical issues of planning, controlling, and staffing such an operation are described. The participating vendors in the ABA software-review program have found the cost of software audits to be reasonable and that their products have been significantly improved in terms of quality and maintainability as a result. The author suggests that the ABA´s program can serve as a model for other industry wide efforts to ensure quality for packaged software products.<>