Quality Management

From Perfectionism and Rigidity to Pragmatism and Flexibility

The emergence of e-business has changed software development constraints radically: compressed time scales ("Web time"), large numbers of unknown users, frequent changes and higher risks are some examples of this new context.

Our quality approach takes these factors into account. It must be aimed at the real world, not strive for perfection. However, risks must be monitored permanently and kept under control. In order to meet this challenge, ELCA has extended its quality system with risk analysis and process maturity using the CMMI model.

To meet short development times, more steps are performed in parallel. Hence, control points have to be distributed within phase overlaps. In addition, risk analysis is more focused on prevention and relies on a comprehensive list of generic risks for e-business projects.

With an increased number of project actors and a geographically distributed organization, the communication and reporting processes are of key importance. They are closely related to the configuration and change management processes. Project managers keep project situations under constant surveillance.