Six sigma approach in software quality improvement

Abstract

In this paper, we present the six sigma DMAIC approach which is used for software quality improvement. The goal was to identify and establish tactical changes that substantially increase the software quality of all software products over the next 2 years. We analyzed the data and based on the analysis expert decisions were made to determine which new technologies (tools, methods, standards, training) should be implemented and institutionalized in order to reach our goals. To measure the improvement from Six Sigma process changes we calculated our process capability baselines based on tactical changes, and we tracked and evaluated on-going software product quality on a regular basis against these baselines to ensure that the software product quality goals were being achieved as planned. © 2006 IEEE.