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There are essentially two approaches that can be followed to ensure product quality, one being assurance of the process by which a product is developed (ISO 9001), and the other being the evaluation of the quality of the end product (ISO 9126).

ISO 9000 is a series of quality system standards from the International Organisation for Standardisation. The international standard covers all aspects of quality-related work required in a commercial or professional situation: technical, quality, management and support practices. The standard describes a particular requirement (element) of the Quality System. ISO 9000 is a general standard in that it is not specific to any particular industry or process.

ISO 9001 is intended for external purposes to enable a supplier to demonstrate to a purchaser or independent third party that the required Quality System elements for the specification of design/ development, production, installation and servicing have been implemented.

An ISO 9000 compliant Quality System aims to ensure that a minimum reasonable set of controls are in place on working practice to produce an acceptable product or service for the purchaser. The ISO 9000 Quality System should not be an end in itself, but a basis for on-going improvement.

An immediate financial benefit resulting from the introduction of an ISO 9000 compliant Quality System would be the improvement in the management of all internal processes, and a focus on key tasks that positively affect the enterprise's ability to win orders and deliver what is required, consistently, on time and at a profitable, yet economic price. Consequently the management of the enterprise's quality will be more effective and the processes more efficient. A drop in the level of non-conformances to specified requirements can be expected as a direct result of introducing an ISO 9000 compliant Quality System.

ISO 9001 provides the definition of the characteristics and associated quality evaluation process to be used when specifying the requirements for and evaluating the quality of software products throughout their life cycle. ISO 9001 does not specify the products, methods or processes to be used, except in general terms; the supplier has to identify and document these as part of its own Quality System. The Quality System requirements are interpreted as three groups:

• Quality System Framework
• Life Cycle Activities
• Supporting Activities.