Quality Improvement

For a major Insurance Company completed a two-part engagement to improve QA and Testing and overall Software Quality.

Initially We Focused on QA & Testing Where We :

• Conducted a process assessment and gap analysis of the Quality Assurance (QA) Testing functions to identify opportunities for improved effectiveness.
• The Assessment included :
  • Conducting, analyzing and completing a formal survey of quality assurance, testing and other practices that included 114 responses from 226 directors, managers, project managers, developers, testers, and infrastructure staff;
  • Completing a Metrics Readiness Survey among executives; interviewing 34 staff members including the CIO, VPs; and reviewing a wide range of documents and observed various operations.
• Produced a comprehensive Quality Management Plan that included :
  • A Gap Analysis with a baseline for future metrics;
  • Organizational Model with Roles and Responsibilities;
  • Comparison to CMMI for critical processes;
  • Comparison to Testing Maturity Model (TMM) for testing methodology and testing coordination functions;
• Completed a Defect Study that demonstrated ‘hidden’ savings of $13,852,133 in “actionable” production defects.

Subsequently We Focused on Improving Software Quality

This project builds on the earlier work to improve software quality processes and procedures in order to significantly reduce expense related to software defects. Activities and Responsibilities for this project included :

• Conducted an updated process assessment and gap analysis of quality and testing
• Created a program to significantly reduce current (over) $13 MM expenditures to find and fix defects
• Established formal Inspection program to focus on Requirement document improvement and improved defect detection and removal
• Implemented formal process improvement of static and dynamic testing processes
  • Based on Gap Analysis and Testing Assessment Report
• Periodically updated defect studies throughout the year with current defect data.
• Implemented Dashboard Reporting and Impact Tracker to identify, report and manage improvement efforts.
• Implemented targeted process and procedure change management and training improvements.
• Mentored and coach staff to institutionalize changes and alter culture.
• Established a senior management Steering Committee to guide change throughout the organization.

To see the resume of the expert associated with this case study, see the link below.