We live in a time where we rely more greatly on technology than ever before as a society. With this reliance comes the need for better written code so that personal information is secure and protected. Software Quality Assurance (SQA) is not just about testing and bug finding. There is a lot more involved behind the scenes. The process ensures that during the lifecycle of each project, the software products and processes comply with their specified requirements and follow their established plans.

An effective SQA process is comprised of the following steps:

1. Initiation: A quality assurance process is conformed to the specific project. The process should include quality standards, tools, resources and identification procedures.
2. Planning: This phase is where the SQA Manager will develop the documentation needed on the projects of Test Plans, Test Cases, Process Improvement Plans, etc.
3. Tracking: This is a sub process that helps to monitor progress and track deviations against the plans. This will update timelines and the re-assignment of tasks. This is especially true for areas of the project where there might be requirements that are not as defined.
4. Training: The SQA Manager, along with other groups in the company, is trained in defining effective structures so that work can be done efficiently.
5. Reviews: This is the period where reviews are done against test plans and test cases to make sure the appropriate test approach and test coverage are taken.
6. Issue Resolution: This is a sub process that is usually defined to resolve issues that come up between the QA team and the affected party. Normally, this is caused by questions in either the test approach or the test coverage.
7. Testing: Tests are performed to review and evaluate the operation of a system or application under controlled conditions. The conditions that are set should be both abnormal and normal conditions.
8. Audit: These can come up in a few different froms. Some of these are project-based while others may be organizational-based. The purpose of the audit process is to improve a project and the organization’s efficiency.
9. Process Improvement: The QA Manager will review the processes that are in place for the project, review recommendations put forward by the project team, and will implement recommended changes for projects going forward.

The SQA of the product should be considered before the design, coding, and integration work are performed. The questions of how the product is supposed to work should be remedied first, along with the usability, security, and reliability details as well.

Quality is not only a process, but an approach to business. Effective SQA implementation at a company does not always mean that the SQA Manager is the only one thinking about quality assurance (QA). It means that QA activities are regularly scheduled and executed by other departments as well. Quality assurance reduces errors and minimizes cycle time and costs; therefore, enhancing customer satisfaction.