---
title: "Why quality standards are needed"
subject: "Software Engineering"
chapter: 9
key: "semester_5/software_engineering:quality-standards-need"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/software_engineering/quality-standards-need
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Why quality standards are needed

Software Engineering · Chapter 9: Quality management

- Asked in: year not given, 2 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/software_engineering/quality-standards-need
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/software_engineering/chapter-9

## Question

Why software quality standards are necessary?

## Short answer

Software quality standards are necessary because they capture best practice, define quality, give continuity, improve communication/consistency, and build customer confidence (e.g., ISO 9001). They prevent repeated mistakes and ensure common formats for documents and code.

## Answer

**Software quality standards** are documented rules and practices that products and processes must follow. They are necessary because:

1. **They capture best practice:** standards record knowledge gained through trial and error, so the same mistakes are not repeated.
2. **They define quality:** they give a framework for what "good quality" means and how it is checked in reviews and audits.
3. **They give continuity:** when staff leave or new people join, work continues in the same way.
4. **They improve communication and consistency:** all team members produce documents and code in a common format.
5. **They build customer confidence:** certification such as ISO 9001 shows customers that a defined quality system is followed.

Example: a common coding standard lets any developer read and maintain another developer's code.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Why do standards capture best practice?
   A. They record knowledge gained by trial and error so mistakes are not repeated
   B. They force use of the newest tools
   C. They remove the need for staff
   D. They make software faster
   Answer: A. Standards embody lessons learned so past mistakes are not repeated. (Key point: Best practice)

2. How do standards help when staff leave or join?
   A. They give higher salaries
   B. They stop people from leaving
   C. They give continuity so work continues in the same way
   D. They remove documentation
   Answer: C. Common ways of working give continuity when team members change. (Key point: Continuity)

3. How does a standard such as ISO 9001 build customer confidence?
   A. It guarantees a bug-free product
   B. Certification shows that a defined quality system is followed
   C. It lowers the price
   D. It shortens delivery time
   Answer: B. Certification demonstrates to customers that a defined quality system is followed. (Key point: Customer confidence)

## Related in Software Engineering

- [SQA plan and quality standards](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Asqa-plan-standards) — Software Engineering, chapter 9
- [Software quality assurance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Asqa-note) — Software Engineering, chapter 9
- [Formal technical review; Garvin’s quality dimensions](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Aftr-garvin) — Software Engineering, chapter 9
- [SEI CMM and quality; ISO versus CMM](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Acmm-vs-iso) — Software Engineering, chapter 9

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