What is ISO 25010:2017?

Introduction

ISO 25010:2017 is an international standard that provides guidance on software product quality. It outlines a set of quality characteristics and sub-characteristics that organizations can use to evaluate and define the quality of their software products. The objective of ISO 25010:2017 is to ensure that software products meet the needs and expectations of stakeholders.

The Quality Characteristics

ISO 25010:2017 defines eight primary quality characteristics, each of which is further divided into sub-characteristics. These quality characteristics are the foundation for evaluating the overall quality of a software product. Let's take a closer look at each of these characteristics:

1. Functional Suitability

Functional suitability refers to the extent to which the software product meets functional requirements. It focuses on whether the software performs the intended functions correctly and completely while considering different user needs and contexts. The sub-characteristics under functional suitability include compliance, accuracy, interoperability, and security.

2. Performance Efficiency

Performance efficiency evaluates how well the software product utilizes resources to accomplish its required tasks. This characteristic looks at aspects such as response time, throughput, resource usage, and capacity. It takes into account factors like speed, scalability, and resource consumption under varying workloads or performance levels.

3. Compatibility

Compatibility measures the software product's ability to function effectively when used with other components or systems. It assesses the software's ability to exchange information, cooperate, and operate in conjunction with other software, hardware, or systems without any adverse effects. Compatibility includes multiple dimensions such as coexistence, interoperability, and portability.

4. Usability

Usability evaluates the ease of use and understandability of the software product for its intended users. It focuses on aspects like learnability, operability, attractiveness, and user error protection. Good usability ensures that users can accomplish their tasks efficiently and effectively, leading to higher user satisfaction.

5. Reliability

Reliability refers to the ability of the software product to perform without failure under specified conditions for a defined period. It includes characteristics such as availability, fault tolerance, recoverability, and accuracy. Reliability ensures that the software operates as expected and can handle errors or faults gracefully.

6. Security

Security assesses the software product's ability to protect data and information from unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction. It involves confidentiality, integrity, non-repudiation, and accountability. A secure software product inspires trust and minimizes the risk of potential security breaches.

7. Maintainability

Maintainability measures how easily the software product can be modified, corrected, or adapted to accommodate changes. It considers attributes such as modularity, analyzability, stability, and testability. Good maintainability allows organizations to enhance and evolve their software products efficiently over time.

8. Portability

Portability evaluates the software product's ability to operate effectively in different environments. It looks at factors such as adaptability, installability, replaceability, and compatibility with different platforms, operating systems, or devices. Portability facilitates the transfer and deployment of software across various systems or configurations.

Conclusion

ISO 25010:2017 provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating the quality of software products. By considering the eight primary characteristics and their sub-characteristics, organizations can enhance the reliability, usability, security, and overall performance of their software. It enables organizations to meet the needs and expectations of stakeholders, leading to high-quality software products that drive business success.