1. Testing COTS or Contracted Software
EQAA Ninth Session
Testing COTS or Contracted Software

2. COTS software review process
Why are you buying the software ?
What purpose will it server ?
Make a list of features that you need in the software.
Prioritize the features
Investigate and Research available vendors/tools
Schedule Demo
Review the product based on the feature list
Select the product that best works for you/company

3. Challenges with COTS Software
Purchased COTS software
Missing features
Software fails to perform
Does not meet all the business needs
Does not meet operational needs
Does not meet people needs
Extra features

4. Contracted Software Test Process
Assure the process for contracting software is adequate
Assure that requirements and contract criteria are testable
Review the adequacy of the contractors test plan
Perform acceptance testing on the software
Issue a report on the adequacy of the software to meet the needs of the organization
Ensure knowledge transfer occurs, and intellectual property rights are protected
Incorporate copyrighted material into the contracting organization’s manuals
Assure the ongoing operation and maintenance of the contracted software
Assure the effectiveness of contractual relations

5. Challenges in Testing Contracted Software
Quality factors may not be specified
Non-testable requirements and criteria
Contracting organization’s standards may not be met
Missing requirements
Overlooked changes in standards or technology
Training and deployment may be difficult

6. COTS Software Test Process
Thank You

7. Challenges in Testing Acquired Software
Differences between software developed in-house and software developed by contractors are:
Relinquishment of control
Loss of control over reallocation of resources
Two Differences between software developed in-house and software developed by contractors
are:
• Relinquishment of control
The software is developed by individuals who are not employees of the organization,
and thus it is difficult to oversee the development process. The contracting
organization cannot direct the employees of the other organization, nor have control
over the many day-to-day decisions that are made in developing software.
• Loss of control over reallocation of resources
If work needs to be done to correct problems and/or speed up development, the
contracting organization cannot take workers off one project and assign them to
another project