Client: Large Computer Manufacturer

Client manufactured large scientific systems, including super computers. Client also developed and supported a large suite of applications and software products (including DBMS products) for their systems and IT service center customers. Client supported multiple versions of their systems worldwide and required considerable effort to manually test their entire application suite for each systems release - they needed to automate the process.

Scope: Managed the development and support of the client Automated Testing System (ATS) product. ATS is a complete application testing facility that provides test generation, test maintenance, and test execution capabilities. ATS maintains the entire test environment for an application in a relational database. It maintains all test input, test parameters, runtime JCL, performance statistics and test execution output. ATS allows users to automatically run selective groupings of application tests, analyze and report application execution and performance results, and automatically compare test output for regression purposes.

Results: VIP was used to test all of the client supported applications (200+) and was also marketed to client systems customers. VIP extensively improved the effectiveness and efficiency of client application systems and regression testing and improved the quality of the applications delivered.

Client: ISO 9000 Registrar

ISO 9000 is an international software practice standard intended to provide assurance to software purchasers that their software product vendors have the established quality systems in place that will lead to the production and support of quality products. Our client is one of the US ISO 9000 Registrars established to certify, per ISO 9000, software vendors that have customers outside of the US, especially Europe. Client was seeking accreditation to perform assessments in the software sector, but did not have software expertise on their staff to do the accreditation assessment.

Solution: Provided independent ISO 9000 software auditing/assessment services to the client. One of the banking software divisions was the assessment target.

Results: Helped the client to receive their accreditation to perform ISO 9000 software assessments and certifications. Without this accreditation, the client would not be able to market their services to the software sector. Through this effort we were placed on the client¹s approved vendor list as a valued software assessment vendor.

Client: Premier IT Service Center

Client was the largest IT service center in the world - especially supporting client access of highly reliable and safety related scientific and engineering applications. The client was a key provider for the nuclear utilities market and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). In order to obtain and maintain this business, the client required a highly effective Quality Management System.

Scope: Helped establish the client 5 Star QA program requirements and procedures. Involved in the writing and review of the program from the onset. The client QA Program is the first software QA program accepted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as meeting current Federal regulations. The QA Program was an essential component that allowed the client to maintain a service center meeting NRC requirements and allowing the client to be the primary nuclear power industry service center in the world.

Results: Helped to establish the client Design Review Board (DRB) that set the standards for software processes and documents within the client organization, and assured that they were followed. Chaired the Design Review Board (DRB) - reporting to the President of the client organization - and performed many reviews and audits of critical client software processes and design documents (instrumental in resolving critical systems deficiencies).

Client: Top 50 Software Company

Client is an engineering software company, one of the Top 50 software developers in the US that develops and markets the NASTRAN analysis product and several other engineering analysis software products. Client business market opportunities were growing, but they had some key competitors in their market. Client wanted to expand through acquisition and by getting business with key government customers like NASA. And they needed consistent processes (especially with integration of products due to acquisition) and a Quality Management System (for NASA) to compete.

Scope - Project #1: Developed software engineering standards and practices and an entire Software Quality Management System (QMS) for the client. The QMS was developed to help the client control and enhance their design, development, maintenance, distribution, and support of their software products - using consistent practices across product lines.

Results: Our help allowed the client to enhance its position as a lead engineering analysis software vendor and to enter new business segments, including business with NASA. In addition, the QMS had a considerable impact on staff effectiveness / efficiency and the quality of the MSC products. Twelve years after implementation, the QMS is still used today.

Scope - Project #2: Helped the client develop a company quality policy and an advisory committee to promote and refine quality practices within the company. Worked closely with the client to develop tailored procedures, standards, and methods that meshed with the best of the client's current business practices. Also helped the client to establish its own quality audit program, including audit functions, authorities, responsibilities, auditor qualifications, job descriptions, and auditor certification requirements. Also lead the first internal client audits and certified client auditors to continue the administration of the audit function.

Results: The quality policy and advisory committee continues to guide MSC as they keep quality in the fore-front in the development and support of their systems. The internal audit function has served them well as a means of reviewing and maintaining quality improvements.

Scope - Project #3: Helped the client to transition the new QMS and the new software engineering, QA and audit practices into their corporate culture through a process of training, trial use, and refinement.

Results: Provided five days of integrated software engineering, software quality assurance and software auditing training for 300 of their associates through a "train the trainer" program - providing a jump start with the new practices for the client and demonstrating the value of the QMS to the associates.