Improving quality through software inspections
- 2. The cost of fixing a defect rises dramatically the later it is found in the development lifecycle of the program. Any human-readable artifact produced during software development can be inspected: requirements specifications, design documents and models, test plans, system documentation, and user aids all are candidates. Inspections are one of the few "testing" techniques available for software work products other than code. Incorporating inspections into your software engineering process is not free. They can consume between 5 and 15% of the total project budget.
- 3. An inspection team consists of 3-8 members and includes these roles: Moderator - leads the inspection, schedules meetings, controls the meetings, reports inspection results, and follows up on rework issues. Author - created or maintains the work product being inspected. Reader - describes the sections of the work product to the team as they proceed through the inspection. Recorder - classifies and records defects and issues raised during the inspection. Inspector - attempts to find errors in the product.
- 4. A formal inspection consists of several activities: Planning - The moderator selects the inspection team, obtains materials to be inspected from the author, and distributes them and any other relevant documents to the inspection team in advance. Overview meeting - This meeting gives the author an opportunity to describe the important features of the product to the inspection team. Preparation - Each participant is responsible for examining the work artifacts prior to the actual inspection meeting, noting any defects found or issues to be raised. Inspection meeting - During this session, the team convenes and is led through the work product by the moderator and reader.
- 5. Causal analysis - An important long-term benefit of an inspection program is the insight it can provide into the kinds of defects being created and process changes you can make to prevent them. Rework - The author is responsible for resolving all issues raised during the inspection. Follow-up - To verify that the necessary rework has been performed properly, the moderator is responsible for following up with the author.
- 6. Check your egos at the door. Critique the products, not the producers. Find problems during the review; don't try to fix them. Limit inspection meetings to a maximum of two hours. Avoid style issues unless they impact performance or understandability. Inspect early and often, formally and informally.