Software product quality characteristics

The quality of software product can be defined based on the same parameters that are usually implemented for assessing of any other product, but given the specificity of the software, it is necessary to define additional quality attributes and the modality of their measurement. Regardless of the fact whether the hardware or software is concerned, quality is not a fixed characteristic of a product, but greatly depends on who is appraising it. Looking at the problem from the business point of view, the basic criteria to evaluate quality is client's satisfaction. In most cases, neither the client nor the manufacturer have clear picture of neither the product nor of its quality. Even if they have it, it certainly is subject to changes throughout the cycle of software product development. The client changes his requests throughout the product development. By doing so, he also changes basic criteria quality assessment. Quality is not free of charge, as it is often pointed out - it has its price. However, the poor quality also has its price, which is often greater than the one somebody expects of quality. Rational quality management has to be oriented towards the objective to have the costs associated with the quality assurance lower than the positive effect consisting of decreasing the costs associated with poor quality where we should include the chances missed at the market. The characteristics and subcharacteristics of quality of the software products are not new. They have been taken over from the original ISO 9126 standard which dates back in 1991. They have been analysed and adjusted to modern era conditions in order to create a reminder and guidelines to software product client. The software product characteristics mostly covet, the aspect of external quality, and quality in use, although there are some elements related to internal quality. The question that still remains unanswered is the relative importance of each individual characteristic and that depends on the type of product, but also on the client's preferences. .