Qualitative and Quantitative Reliability Assessment

Traditional system reliability efforts have failed to focus on software reliability. To remedy this, the authors propose a method that uses descriptive analyses, trend analyses, and reliability models to control testing activities, evaluate software reliability, and plan maintenance. uring the development of a software system, the supplier must efficiently monitor the development activities; comply with the delivery schedule; predict when a specified level of reliability will be reached, or at least check how well the software will satisfy the customer’s requirements; and reduce maintenance efforts. On the other hand, the customer needs a reliable product, delivered on time and at the lowest price. Our method helps reach these goals. It is based on the analysis and evaluation of software reliability by processing failure data collected on a software product during its development and operation. Traditionally, system reliability efforts have not focused on software reliability. We believe that failure prediction can be improved if software reliability modeling is integrated into an overall approach. The method we propose is based on the combined use of descriptive analyses, trend analyses, and reliability models to control testing activities, evaluate software reliability, and plan maintenance.