Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A bad contract is always an undesirable event. From the viewpoint of SQA, a bad contract
usually characterized by loosely defined requirements, and unrealistic budgets and schedules is
expected to yield low-quality software. So, it is natural for an SQA program to begin its
preventive quality assurance efforts with a review of the proposal draft and, later, the contract
draft (contract review covers both activities). The two reviews are aimed at improving the
budget and timetable that provide the basis for the proposal and the subsequent contract, and
revealing potential pitfalls at an early enough stage (in the proposal draft and in the contract
draft).
Contract review is the software quality element that reduces the probability of such undesirable
situations. Contract review is a requirement by the ISO 9001 standard and ISO 9000-3
Guidelines.
Contract review is the SQA component devised to guide review drafts of proposal and contract
documents. If applicable, contract review also provides oversight of the contacts carried out with
potential project partners and subcontractors. The review process itself is conducted in two
stages:
Stage One Review of the proposal draft prior to submission to the potential customer
(proposal draft review). This stage reviews the final proposal draft and the proposals
foundations: customers requirement documents, customers additional details and explanations
of the requirements, cost and resources estimates, existing contracts or contract drafts of the
supplier with partners and subcontractors.
Stage Two Review of contract draft prior to signing (contract draft review). This stage
reviews the contract draft on the basis of the proposal and the understandings (including
changes) reached during the contract negotiations sessions.
The processes of review can begin once the relevant draft document has been completed. The
individuals who perform the review thoroughly examine the draft while referring to a
comprehensive range of review subjects. A checklist is very helpful for assuring the full
coverage of relevant subjects. After the completion of a review stage it is required that the
necessary changes, additions and corrections are introduced by the proposal team (after the
proposal draft review) and by the legal department (after the contract draft review).
Subcontractor - a person who is hired by a general contractor to perform a specific task as part of
the overall project.
Tender - an offer to carry out work, supply goods at a stated fixed price.
Software firm - business organization that sells goods or services to make a profit.
acceptance criteria - set of statements that specify both functional and non-functional
requirements applicable at the current stage of project integration