Chapter 10.3: Techniques for quality assurance in system development Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is the main purpose of configuration management in projects?
To manage and track all changes and information throughout a system’s design, manufacturing, and maintenance phases.
What are the two main aspects of configuration management?
Configuration identification and configuration control.
What is a configuration item (CI)?
Any subsystem, component, or service tracked and controlled individually during the system’s life cycle.
Why is “as-built” status important in configuration identification?
It ensures each CI in the final product is traceable to its exact specifications, allowing accurate spare part replacement and training.
What type of documents are NOT considered configuration documents?
Design premises, assumptions, and calculations.
What is the main purpose of configuration control?
To manage and document proposed changes like waivers, deviations, and modifications during system development.
What are the five key steps in configuration control?
Requesting a change
Documenting the purpose
Evaluating the impact
Assessing feasibility
Approval by a Configuration Control Board (CCB)
What’s the role of a Configuration Control Board (CCB)?
To approve or reject proposed changes, often including designers and key project managers.
What is the purpose of a design review?
To ensure the design meets requirements, is risk-free, and is acceptable across all life-cycle aspects.
Name three aspects checked in a design review.
Safety, reliability, and manufacturability.
What is the difference between general and design reviews?
Design reviews assess the technical quality and risks of a specific design, while general reviews assess broader project elements.
Who participates in design reviews?
Representatives from all relevant disciplines: designers, end users, maintainers, and external experts.
What are the four types of formal design reviews?
Preliminary design review
Critical design review
Functional readiness review
Product readiness review
What is the goal of a critical design review?
To confirm the hardware/software design meets functional and technical requirements.
Why are formal reviews important despite being time-consuming?
They help detect major issues, prevent project failure, and validate design readiness.
What is an informal design review?
A casual, spontaneous discussion among team members to improve or evaluate design ideas.
What’s the golden rule of informal reviews?
Brainstorm freely, no idea-shaming allowed!
What’s the main goal of an audit in project quality management?
To verify management systems, technical procedures, and project status using unbiased investigation.
How do audits differ from design reviews?
Audits check overall compliance and quality systems, not just design elements.
What are the four types of characteristic classifications?
Critical
Major
Minor
Incidental
What type of characteristic requires 100% inspection?
Critical characteristics.
What’s the difference between critical and incidental characteristics?
Critical ones impact safety or core functions; incidental ones have minimal effect.
What does FMEA stand for?
Failure Mode and Effect Analysis.
What’s the goal of FMEA?
To identify how a system might fail and assess the risk and impact of each failure.
