SQE-vs.-SQA-vs.-IV&V

Over the past 20 years the issue of delivered software quality has been a constant concern in US Air Force weapons systems acquisition. Over time, three different processes have been evolved to improve the quality of delivered software: independent validation and verification (IV&V); software quality evaluation/engineering (SQE); and software quality assurance (SQA). Each process has been affected by various software initiatives and directives such as: AFR 800-14, Volume II (1975), AFR 800-14, MIL-STD-52779A, MIL-STD-1679, DOD-STD-2167, DOD-STD-2167A, and DOD-STD-2168. The development of the delivered software quality issue is reviewed, the current status of software quality efforts is described, and possible initiatives for the future are evaluated