Software Testing: A Comparison of International and National Standards

This report provides a comprehensive overview of software testing, comparing and contrasting international and national standards. It delves into the significance of international standards, primarily focusing on ISO, and their role in ensuring software quality, functionality, and usability. The report also examines national standards, specifically ANZTB in Australia, and their emphasis on security and adherence to national policies. It highlights the similarities, such as the focus on usability testing and security measures, and differences, particularly in geographical scope, between the two. The analysis underscores the crucial role of both international and national standards in fostering secure and high-quality software development, emphasizing the importance of adhering to these standards for software developers and organizations globally.

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Introduction
Software Testing is concept used in evaluating if software has bugs with aim of fixing
existing errors. In the processing of testing software, it is also meant to validate and verify if
software meets its end products. In the process of testing software, it is expected that, the entire
process has to conform and adhere to international set standards in order to achieve required
standards. Software testing standards are already set rules and guidelines which are meant to be
followed and be met by all software designers. If a given software does not conform to
international set standards, it may be regarded incomplete and cannot be allowed in the business
market because it may pose some risks to other software during platform cross transactions
(Black, 2011). With diverse working environment and software projects becoming sophisticated
than technological complex that can be accommodated in the market. Specific software can
undergo various tests while trying to access its capability to function as required by international
set standards. In the process of software testing, the main idea is to evaluate the quality of
software before it can be deployed in the market for use by various businesses. In relation to all
stakeholders in software project management, software developers are the main stakeholders
who should ensure the right quality has been met during development. To achieve desired
software quality, it should not be an instance of a specific point but an entire process from
planning stage. Once software idea has been hatched, quality should be at topmost in order to
align it to both international and national standards.
International standards
There are many international standards that ought to be met by all software developers in
order to make sure software is an international product rather than regional. For a software to be
accepted internationally, it has to conform to all international standards. In this case, ISO is the

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main standard which has to be met by all software applications. ISO standards is an international
regulations and rules which all software developers are expected to meet with aim of making
their products of value. According to Hass (2008), all international standards regarding software
testing has to be drafted in accordance with ISO directives. ISO was prepared by corporation of
Joint Technical Committee (ISO) which was assisted by IT subcommittee SC7 which deals with
software and system engineering. The owner of ISO standards is ISO and was published year
2006. This article mainly covers software usability test as it has been outlined from ISO 9241-11
which focuses on effectiveness, efficiency and its satisfaction to all its users worldwide. To
conform to international standards, some software metrics has be met as outlined in part two of
ISO standards. The scope of international standards is set to focus on reporting measures that
target on software usability test. These standards are set to be used by all stakeholders in supplier
organizations regarding usability as reported by organizational customers. Similarly, it focuses
on usability verification on whether a particular report is in line with other international
standards governing software testing (Limaye, 2009). Additionally, this standard addresses
software human factors on usability as reported by professionals on software usability testing.
Finally, it covers all other technical professionals and supervisory level management in
customers’ organization who are mandated in using results from test procedures while making
business decisions about product suitability of purchasing certain products.
In order to understand ISO standards in regard to software testing, it is very important to
grasp its ways of operations, key terms as applied globally and importance of using ISO
standards in software testing (Desikan & Ramesh, 2006). Some of the key terms applicable in
ISO software quality are; software quality model which explains available models which should
be followed in order to deliver quality software which aligns with international standards.

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External metrics is used to explain parameters which are required by other organization in order
to deliver quality product. Unless these ISO external metrics are met, it would be very difficult
develop internationally acceptable software. It requires that, developers to factor other existing
areas of concern that software has to meet in order to be accorded international product and be
allowed in the market. Additionally, internal metrics are set to explain specific factors that
system has to meet in regard to organizational needs. Software should be developed in such a
way that, it conforms to specific areas of concern in the industry and according to procedures and
processes of operations. Hass (2014) argues that, internal metrics should align rules and
procedures of specific organizations and should be consistent business needs. ISO standards
presents to all software developers attributes which are core to any software. These attributes
include; functionality which explains how software is to be used in business processes of any
organization and how it meets organizational needs. Further, usability of software in regard to
specific organizational processes as it is being used by organizational users. Moreover, reliability
of any software cannot be left out because if system is to be down most of the time, it means
subject organization will not be able to use software as regarded.
The ISO standards are very crucial as they helps in coming up with quality product that
can be used safely in all business operations. Without these standards, it would be difficult to
come with applications which conforms to business needs as required by business owners and
dictates of system users. With help of ISO standards, it is possible to come up with software that
factors organizational functionality and usability of software. In current business market, most of
applications are focused on user interface which is presented as the only option to cater for
usability aspect in software development by developers (Spillner, Linz & Schaefer, 2014).
Generally, ISO standards are used by software developers and organizations in ensuring all

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software developed meets required quality standards. Finally, ISO standards are quite relevance
to software development because they enhance quality of products before they are released in the
market for business use. Its relevance focuses on quality product as required from international
market. It heavily emphasis on quality delivery of product in the market and how it must meet all
required specifications and requirements of the system. Naik & Tripathy (2011) stipulates that,
software requirements and specifications are very important as they are the main factors that
focuses on delivery of quality product as required by ISO standards.
National standards
In regard to quality of software used in Australia, it has taken measures which makes all
software used are in conformity with required national standards (Graham, 2008). The ANZTB
is a standard that was incorporated in Australian operations in year 2005. Australian ANZTB
ownership is under ANZTB board and all software to be used in Australia are to be aligned with
board laid out standards. The scope of the ANZTB standards involves supporting all
professionals in the entire part of New Zealand by offering required approval and establishing
high software quality examination and operational processes. ANZTB has been granted an
opportunity has been responsible to provide required training in testing of software. It is also
accredited with giving out all certificates in software accreditation and testing processes.
Similarly, it creates awareness on economic, associated risk mitigation practices and advantages
that can be realized through following all ANZTB standards. Further, Hambling, Morgan &
British Computer Society (2010) stipulates that, ANZTB it mandated to provide accreditation of
auditing in training and supply of some courses that help in meeting high quality software.
Lastly, its scope extends to promote and test a clear path in relation to IT carrier and all
professional testing involved.

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According to SWQD (Conference) et al (2015), in an effort to understand ANZTB
standards in testing and developing software, the quality of software and its main functionality
has been guided by key such as functionality and usability of software in conjunction to security
measures that software should adhere to. The main goals that helps in understanding required
functionality of software and security revolve around security of all data used in these
application. Cryptography has been used to demonstrate how security of any information held by
these systems are sensitive. Mainly, all applications are required to adhere to stipulated laid
down procedures in an effort to meet all required national and regional software testing and
standards. These standards are focused in ensuring security of data and all set out procedures are
followed and conform to national policy in regard to software used for business operations in the
country. It clearly outlines rules that any organization making use of software must follow to
ensure cyber security threats are minimized and organizational data are not at risk of being
compromised (Meziane & Vadera, 2010). The ANZTB are related to software testing as they
enhance security of the software and putting out regulations that all software developers and
users must ensure it is meet in regard body’s rules of operations.
Similarity and difference between national and international standards
There are notable similarities and differences that arise from analysis of two documents
that evaluates software testing. Some of similarities are; focus on usability testing and security
measures which all documents have demonstrated. Usability testing has been of major concern
with current software developers putting more efforts on how users interact with system rather
than its functionality. Secondly, security has been of major concern taking an account of
increased cyber security lapses that many organizations has been focusing to eliminate (TC13
Human-Computer Interaction Symposium et al, 2010). Similarly, functionality of system has

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been of focus although that is dependent on organizational needs. Besides, all software quality
has to be aligned in regard to national rules and policies regardless of whether it is national or an
international standards. The only notable difference is on scope of application of testing
standards. International standards has large scope of application in terms of geographical area
while national is only limited to national boundaries.
Conclusions
From analysis and evaluation of these two software testing standards, it is very clear
security of software has been of notable concern due to increase in rate of cyber security. ISO
being an international software testing standards has been implemented and is on use even at
national and international level. ANZTB on the other hand focus on national security level of
software in use from Australia. It is interesting to find different ways in which these standards
work in line with each other with aim of meeting all quality standards set at both international
and national level. Both of these standards are very important because they give guidelines on
which each software has to be based on irrespective of its level of application. There difference
is only notable on geographical scope of application. Lastly, it is important to make sure every
software has been developed and works in accordance to all these standards.

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References
Black, R. (2011). Pragmatic Software Testing: Becoming an Effective and Efficient Test
Professional. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
Desikan, S., & Ramesh, G. (2006). Software testing: Principles and practice. Bangalore, India:
Dorling Kindersley
Graham, D. (2008). Foundations of software testing: ISTQB certification. Australia: Course
Technology Cengage Learning.
Hambling, B., Morgan, P., & British Computer Society. (2010). Software testing: An ISEB
foundation. London: British Computer Society.
Hass, A. M. J. (2008). Guide to advanced software testing. Boston: Artech House.
Hass, A. M. J. (2014). Guide to advanced software testing.
Limaye, M. G. (2009). Software engineering: Principles and practice. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-
Hill Education.
Meziane, F., & Vadera, S. (2010). Artificial intelligence applications for improved software
engineering development: New prospects. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.
Naik, S., & Tripathy, P. (2011). Software Testing and Quality Assurance: Theory and Practice.
New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Spillner, A., Linz, T., & Schaefer, H. (2014). Software testing foundations: A study guide for the
certified tester exam: foundation level, ISTQB compliant.

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SWQD (Conference), In Winkler, D., In Biffl, S., & In Bergsmann, J. (2015). Software quality:
Software and systems quality in distributed and mobile environments: 7th International
Conference, SWQD 2015, Vienna, Austria, January 20-23, 2015, Proceedings.
TC13 Human-Computer Interaction Symposium, Forbrig, P., & IFIP World Computer Congress.
(2010). Human-computer interaction: Second IFIP TC 13 Symposium, HCIS 2010, held
as part of WCC 2010, Brisbane, Australia, September 20-23, 2010. Proceedings. Berlin:
Springer.