Which of the following is MOST important for an IS auditor to focus on when evaluating the quality control processes for software deliverables?
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A. B. C. D.B.
When evaluating the quality control processes for software deliverables, an IS auditor should focus on the process that is most important for ensuring the quality of the software product. Among the options provided, the most critical process is typically the process to identify and manage defects (option A). Here's why:
Software defects can cause serious issues that can affect the system's functionality, security, and stability. Defects can lead to system crashes, data loss, and security vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is essential to identify and manage defects as early as possible in the software development life cycle (SDLC) to reduce the risk of such problems occurring.
The process to identify and manage defects involves various activities such as testing, bug tracking, and defect resolution. Effective defect management includes the following key steps:
Defect identification: This step involves detecting defects during various phases of the SDLC, such as requirements gathering, design, development, testing, and deployment.
Defect tracking: This step involves creating a defect report and tracking its progress until resolution. A defect report typically includes information such as the defect description, severity, priority, and status.
Defect resolution: This step involves fixing the defect and verifying the fix to ensure that it has resolved the issue.
Defect prevention: This step involves identifying the root cause of the defect and taking steps to prevent similar defects from occurring in the future.
Effective defect management is essential for ensuring the quality of software deliverables. An IS auditor should evaluate the quality control processes related to defect management to ensure that they are effective and efficient. The auditor should also check whether the defect management process is integrated into the SDLC and whether it is followed consistently.
While the other options provided may also be important, they are not as critical as defect management. For example, checking adherence to technical specifications (option B) and conducting peer reviews and tests (option D) are essential quality control processes but are not as critical as identifying and managing defects. Similarly, producing quality control reports (option C) is important but is not as critical as ensuring that defects are identified and managed effectively.