Abstract
The analysis of audit findings should prove useful in uncovering the problems practitioners have in implementing a software quality management regime. The understanding gained from this analysis could then be used to solve the issues involved, and make software management, e.g. development or procurement, more effective. This case study presents an initial analysis of audit findings that led to the need to review some of the approaches taken in gathering audit data. This review included the techniques used and the motivation of auditors. A detailed implementation rating system was devised to further investigate and accurately identify specific problems. It was also used to test and validate initial conclusions and highlight problems with audit sampling. Without proper management, particularly for the analysis of audit findings, the internal audit process can be an ineffective use of resources. The recommendations made by this paper can provide practical solutions to making internal auditing a cost-effective, problem solving, management tool.
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Michael Elliott is a Chartered Engineer and member of both the British Computer Society and The Institute of Electrical Engineers. He is the Software Quality Manager at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in the UK and his main role is to ensure the certification to ISO 9001: 2000, for all software related activities. Mike's particular interest is the intricacies of dealing with different people in a culturally diverse establishment, such as AWE. He is undertaking post graduate research at Loughborough University with Ray Dawson and Janet Edwards, and is researching into the practical nuances of the internal auditing, the adoption of self-assessment as a methodology, and the problems associated with implementing a software quality system.
Ray Dawson obtained a Bachelor's degree in mathematics with engineering and a masters degree in engineering from Nottingham University before entering industry with Plessey Telecommunications in 1977. While working at the company he developed an interest in the working methods for software development as practiced in industry. This became a research interest when he joined Loughborough University as a lecturer in 1987. Other research interests are information systems and knowledge management which he now combines with his interest in industrial working practices to work with companies to improve their information and knowledge management systems. Ray Dawson is now a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and leader of the Knowledge Management Research Group at Loughborough University in the UK, and is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the British Computer Society.
Janet Edwards is currently a lecturer in Computer Science at Loughborough University. She has a Btech (Hons) degree in Metallurgical Engineering and Management and an MSc degree by research in Robotic Control from Loughborough University. She spent a number of years working as a software engineer in various organisations before returning to Loughborough. Her current research interests include Electronic Communication and E-commerce.
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Elliott, M., Dawson, R. & Edwards, J. Towards real process improvement from internal auditing—A case study. Software Qual J 14, 53–64 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11219-006-6001-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11219-006-6001-3