Glossaries
ISO 9126
What is ISO 9126?
ISO 9126 is an international standard for evaluating software quality, providing a framework for assessing software products based on various quality characteristics and sub-characteristics.
Synonyms: Software Quality Metrics, ISO/IEC 9126, Software Quality Model, Quality in Use Model
Key Components of ISO 9126
ISO 9126 defines six main quality characteristics for software evaluation:
- Functionality: The capability of the software to provide functions that meet stated and implied needs.
- Reliability: The ability of the software to maintain its performance level under stated conditions for a stated period.
- Usability: The effort required for use, and the individual assessment of such use, by a stated or implied set of users.
- Efficiency: The relationship between the level of performance of the software and the amount of resources used.
- Maintainability: The effort required to make specified modifications to the software.
- Portability: The ability of the software to be transferred from one environment to another.
How ISO 9126 is Used in User Research
In user research, ISO 9126 serves as a valuable framework for:
- Defining quality objectives: Researchers can use the standard to set clear, measurable goals for software quality.
- Guiding evaluation processes: The characteristics provide a structure for creating comprehensive usability tests and user surveys.
- Benchmarking: Comparing different software products or versions based on standardized quality criteria.
- Identifying improvement areas: Pinpointing specific aspects of software that need enhancement based on user feedback and testing results.
Benefits of Using ISO 9126 in User Research
- Standardization: Provides a common language and framework for discussing software quality across teams and projects.
- Comprehensive evaluation: Ensures that all important aspects of software quality are considered in the research process.
- User-centric approach: Emphasizes characteristics that directly impact user experience, such as usability and functionality.
- Objective assessment: Offers a structured method for evaluating software, reducing subjective biases in the research process.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does ISO stand for in ISO 9126?: ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization, which developed and published this standard.
- Is ISO 9126 still in use today?: While ISO 9126 has been largely superseded by ISO/IEC 25010, many of its principles are still relevant and used in software quality assessment.
- How does ISO 9126 relate to user experience (UX)?: ISO 9126 includes characteristics like usability and functionality that directly impact UX, making it a valuable tool for UX researchers and designers.
- Can ISO 9126 be applied to mobile apps?: Yes, the quality characteristics defined in ISO 9126 can be adapted and applied to evaluate the quality of mobile applications.