Signposting for design process improvement

This report presents a dynamic approach to design process planning which aims to enable design process improvement. The tool utilises a signposting model to direct activity by suggesting the next most appropriate task in the design process. This suggestion is based on the presence of key parameters, their associated confidences and an assessment of the performance of the design process. The assessment approach proposed has the potential to adapt to the experience of the designer. A case study of mechanical component design is presented to illustrate the behaviour of this model for design process improvement.

Quality practices and problems in free software projects

Free software and open source projects are often perceived to be of high quality. It has been suggested that the high level of quality found in some free software projects is related to the open development model which promotes peer review. While the quality of some free software projects is comparable to, if not better than, that of closed source software, not all free software projects are successful and of high quality. Even mature and successful projects face quality problems; some of these are related to the unique characteristics of free software and open source as a distributed development model led primarily by volunteers. In exploratory interviews performed with free software and open source developers, several common quality practices as well as actual quality problems have been identified. The results of these interviews are presented in this paper in order to take stock of the current status of quality in free software projects and to act as a starting point for the implementation of quality process improvement strategies.