CPSA Quality Attributes and Scenarios 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In iSAQB, which component of a quality scenario describes what triggers the quality-relevant event?
- Response measure
- Stimulus source (Correct answer)
- Environment
- Artifact
Correct answer: Stimulus source
The stimulus source identifies the actor or entity that initiates the stimulus in a quality scenario.
Question 2: A system must handle 500 concurrent users with response time under 2 seconds at peak load. Which quality attribute does this PRIMARILY address?
- Reliability
- Scalability
- Performance efficiency (Correct answer)
- Availability
Correct answer: Performance efficiency
Performance efficiency covers response time and resource usage under specified load conditions.
Question 3: Which quality attribute is MOST concerned with how easily a system can be moved from one environment to another?
- Maintainability
- Portability (Correct answer)
- Interoperability
- Compatibility
Correct answer: Portability
Portability (ISO 25010) addresses the ease of transferring a system to different hardware, software, or operational environments.
Question 4: When two quality attributes conflict, what is the RECOMMENDED approach for an architect?
- Always prioritize security over all other attributes
- Make the conflict explicit and let stakeholders decide based on business priorities (Correct answer)
- Choose the attribute mentioned first in requirements
- Implement both attributes fully regardless of cost
Correct answer: Make the conflict explicit and let stakeholders decide based on business priorities
Architects must surface trade-offs transparently so stakeholders can make informed prioritization decisions.
Question 5: The 'response measure' part of a quality scenario defines:
- The entity that initiates the quality event
- The quantifiable criterion used to evaluate whether the system met the quality goal (Correct answer)
- The operational context during the scenario
- The component of the system being evaluated
Correct answer: The quantifiable criterion used to evaluate whether the system met the quality goal
The response measure provides a testable, quantitative or qualitative criterion for assessing the system's quality response.
Question 6: Which quality attribute is PRIMARILY concerned with the ability of a system to prevent unauthorized access to data?
- Reliability
- Safety
- Security — confidentiality sub-characteristic (Correct answer)
- Maintainability
Correct answer: Security — confidentiality sub-characteristic
Confidentiality, a sub-characteristic of Security in ISO 25010, ensures data is accessible only to those authorized.
Question 7: In a quality scenario for 'modifiability', a realistic stimulus would be:
- A user submits a form at peak load
- A developer needs to add a new payment method to the checkout module (Correct answer)
- A server loses power unexpectedly
- A hacker attempts a SQL injection attack
Correct answer: A developer needs to add a new payment method to the checkout module
Modifiability scenarios are triggered by change requests, typically from developers, to alter system functionality.
CPSA Quality Attributes and Scenarios 2
In iSAQB, which component of a quality scenario describes what triggers the quality-relevant event?