Certified Software Quality Engineer Flashcards

A quality engineer wants to identify the vital few causes responsible for most defects. Which quality tool is most appropriate?

Answer: Pareto chart

A Pareto chart applies the 80/20 rule, displaying causes in descending frequency to help teams focus improvement efforts on the most significant defect sources.

In software testing, what is 'regression testing' primarily designed to ensure?

Answer: Previously working functionality has not been broken by recent changes

Regression testing re-executes tests on unchanged portions of the system to confirm that modifications have not introduced new defects into existing functionality.

Which document formally records the results of a software audit, including findings, nonconformances, and corrective actions required?

Answer: Software audit report

A software audit report formally documents what was audited, the criteria used, findings, nonconformances identified, and required corrective actions.

What is the purpose of a 'traceability matrix' in software quality engineering?

Answer: To map requirements to test cases, ensuring all requirements are tested

A requirements traceability matrix (RTM) links each requirement to corresponding test cases, ensuring complete coverage and enabling impact analysis of requirement changes.

Which acceptance testing approach involves having actual end-users test the software in their own environment before final release?

Answer: Beta testing

Beta testing is performed by a subset of actual end-users in their real-world environment, providing feedback on usability, functionality, and defects before general release.

In software quality, what does the term 'defect prevention' refer to?

Answer: Analyzing the root causes of past defects and changing processes to prevent recurrence

Defect prevention focuses on identifying root causes of historical defects and modifying development processes to prevent similar defects from occurring in future work.

Which statistical process control chart is most appropriate for monitoring the number of defects per unit when the sample size varies?

Answer: u-chart

The u-chart (defects-per-unit chart) is used when monitoring the average number of defects per unit and the sample size varies between inspection periods.