A practical classification-rule for software-quality models

A practical classification rule for a SQ (software quality) model considers the needs of the project to use a model to guide targeting software RE (re liability enhancement) efforts, such as extra reviews early in development. Such a rule is often more useful than alternative rules. This paper discus ses several classification rules for SQ models, and recommends a generalize d classification rule, where the effectiveness and efficiency of the model for sliding software RE efforts can be explicitly considered. This is the f irst application of this rule to SQ modeling that we know of, Two case studies illustrate application of the generalized classification r ule. A telecommunication-system case-study models membership in the class of fau lt-prone modules as a function of the number of interfaces to other modules . A military-system case-study models membership in the class of fault-prone modules as a function of a Set of process metrics that depict the developme nt history of a module. These case studies are examples where balanced misclassification rates resu lted in more useful and practical SQ models than other classification rules .