Unit 32 Quality Systems in IT

·       Aim

To provide learners with an understanding of the importance of the quality process as applied to IT-related systems development.

·       Unit abstract

Quality control and assurance relies on the establishment of standards by which projects can be measured. This is carried out through reviews, tests and inspections to ensure that the end product meets requirements.

IT projects need to be carried out within a structured framework of procedures that will ensure that quality is an integral part of the development process. Adherence to this framework ensures that the final outcome meets its intended purpose and has been produced using the most efficient method.

Learners will begin this unit by exploring the meaning of quality in the context of IT development and the implications of adopting this approach. They will continue by learning about the quality control issues and then project management tools that can be used to support the process.

On completion of this unit, learners will understand the importance of a quality-focused approach to development and maintenance and be able to select appropriate tools to enable this.

·       Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit a learner will:

1. Understand the need for quality assurance in IT systems
2. Be able to employ standard quality control documentation
3. Be able to use project management tools.

Unit content

1         Understand the need for quality assurance in IT systems

Standards: compliance against national and international standards eg ISO 31000 risk; risk management standards eg Project Management Institute, National Institute of Science and Technology; quality standards, ISO 9000, best practice

Risks: types of risk eg financial, project failure, legal, accidents, natural causes, attacks

Systems Development Life Cycle: stages eg planning, requirements analysis, design, build, test, maintenance

2         Be able to employ standard quality control documentation

Documentation: to include eg detailed product specification, environmental, safety, reliabilty, maintainability requirements, monitoring checks, reviews, inspections, test results, control charts

3         Be able to use project management tools

Tools: techniques eg Gantt charts, CPM, PERT, PRINCE, project management software

Learning outcomes and assessment criteria

Learning outcomes   On successful completion of this unit a learner will:	Assessment criteria for pass   The learner can:
LO1 Understand the need for quality assurance in IT systems	discuss appropriate standards for the development of an IT systemassess the risks associated with the development of an IT systemdiscuss quality assurance practices at all stages of the systems development lifecycle
LO2 Be able to employ standard quality control documentation	2.1 produce quality control documentation for each stage of the systems development lifecycle
LO3 Be able to use project management tools	apply project planning and management tools to plan specific resources and requirements for an IT system developmentevaluate the suitability of tools used to manage the development of an IT system.

Guidance

Links to National Occupational Standards, other BTEC units, other BTEC qualifications and other relevant units and qualifications

The learning outcomes associated with this unit are closely linked with:

Level 3	Level 4	Level 5
Unit 11: Systems Analysis and Design	Unit 8: Management of Projects	Unit 4: Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation
Unit 17: Project Planning with IT	Unit 9: Systems Analysis and Design

This unit has links to the Level 4 and Level 5 National Occupational Standards for IT and Telecoms Professionals, particularly the areas of competence of:

• Change and Release Management
  • IT/Technology Service Catalogue and/or Service Level Management
  • Measurement and Reporting.

Essential requirements

Learners must have access to suitable project planning and management tools.