Do we really have provable Best Practices that ensure Software Quality?

In 1999 the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) released a document entitled "Harmonization of Professional Standards" which had been developed by a small working group within the Technical Committee for Education (IFIP TC3). The purpose of the document was to set out what could become an international standard for professional practice in Information Technology. The IFIP Harmonization document highlights six areas for consideration with regard to professional standards. These are: ethics of professional practice; established body of knowledge; education and training; professional experience; best practice and proven methodologies; and maintenance of competence