COSIMIS - Computer Supported Inspection Methods

Research project P 14128 COSIMIS - Computer Supported Inspection Methods Gerhard CHROUST 06.03.2000 The need to produce quality software makes early validation and verification of intermediate products of software development process necessary. Testing can be used only for running code and therefore occurs too late in the life cycle. Additionally it is too much oriented towards verification to have a dramatic impact on what ISO 9126 calls `design quality`. Since 1976 Fagan`s Formal Inspections are successfully applied in software validation and verification, showing problem removal capability 4 times better than testing. Classical (manual) inspections show some inefficiencies which probably can be overcome by modern information technology, e.g. networked computers allowing decentralised and asynchronous work. At the same time there are indications that the "one-or-all" approach to inspections is not optimal. Diversification of inspections dependent on the type of project, the domain and the culture promises even better results. In this project we will * Investigate the current state of computer supported inspections * Compare these methods with respect to their underlying model * Analyse these methods with respect to their applicability in various project contexts, especially for small software developers (SSDs) * Build an own prototype using an Electronic Meeting Room approach * Investigate the effects of these modern techniques on the synergetic effects of face-to-face inspections meeting claimed by Fagan. * Provide a `road map` advising users of decision criteria for various inspection types * Develop a handbook plus CD-ROM containing useful and practical approaches, forms and examples, etc. * Validate our findings and our deliverables with practitioners from the field * Disseminate our findings in conferences and scientific journals