Does your company’s digital product have quality? The relationship between software quality and User Experience (UX), encompassing Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), is intrinsically related and fundamental to the success of any interactive product or software. While they might appear to be distinct disciplines, they are complementary and mutually dependent in creating effective, efficient, and satisfying user experiences.
The inspiration for this article originates from a fundamental insight gained during my software engineering studies at UNILINS. My scientific initiation project provided a deep dive into human-computer interaction (HCI), multimedia, and software quality. I was particularly struck by how both HCI and Software Quality prioritized a system’s intrinsic quality, moving beyond just interactive design. Even now, I consistently see software that suffers from poor design, not only from a visual standpoint but also in critical areas like information architecture and user experience (UX).
In this article, I will explore the relationship between software quality and user experience, along with their conceptual connections. I will also explain why designers should learn more about software quality, as the focus on building quality software cannot be limited to just visual design; it must extend beyond that to include how the software is engineered from a technical perspective.
Understanding Software Quality
Defining quality is a complex task because its nature is inherently subjective. What’s considered quality can vary significantly across projects, clients, and even cultures, making it a non-standardized concept.
In the realm of computer science and software engineering, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) offers two perspectives: “The degree to which a system, component, or process conforms to specified requirements” or “The degree to which a system, component, or process conforms to the needs and expectations of customers or users.”
Complementing this perspective, Pressman (2006, p. 580) defines software quality as “conforming to explicitly stated functional and performance requirements, explicitly documented development standards, and implicit characteristics expected of all professionally developed software.”
Software quality is intrinsically related to quality assurance. My research in this field led me to develop and document a process, UXDQA, which can offer a practical perspective on how to approach this assurance.
In the current landscape, the relevance of quality for business competitiveness has reached a new level. What was once seen as a differentiator is now an indispensable prerequisite for staying in the market, as pointed out by the DEVMEDIA website. With the immense and continuous demand for computer systems, organizations must consider quality a central and non-negotiable element at all stages of software development, aiming for the sustainability of their competitiveness.
Key Aspects of Software Quality
In other words, software quality refers to the characteristics of a software product that determine its ability to satisfy the declared and implicit needs of the user. This covers aspects like:
- Functionality: Does the software do what it’s supposed to do, correctly and completely? If a banking app crashes frequently, that’s a sign of a lack of quality.
- Reliability: Does the software operate without failures under specified conditions and for a determined period?
- Usability: Is the software easy for the user to learn, use, and understand?
- Efficiency: Does the software optimize system resources (performance, response time, resource consumption)?
- Maintainability: Is the software easy to modify, correct, and adapt?
- Portability: This isn’t just about the technical ability to move the software; for the user, it means the expectation that it will work anywhere. This includes compatibility with different hardware and software configurations.
- Security: Does the software protect data and functionalities from unauthorized access?
The Perception of Quality
In today’s dynamic software development landscape, characterized by an exponential demand for computer systems, quality has emerged as an undeniable factor for organizational competitiveness. It’s crucial to demystify the idea that artificial intelligence (AI) will solve all quality challenges. While AI can optimize processes and assist in fault detection, the responsibility for conceiving, designing, and ensuring the inherent quality of software remains an essentially human task, demanding discernment and meticulous attention.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that quality itself is perceived differently by each stakeholder. While a user focuses on usability and the fulfillment of their needs, a developer might prioritize maintainability and the absence of bugs. Meanwhile, a product or project manager might be more concerned with cost, deadlines, and strategic alignment. This diversity of perspectives necessitates a multifaceted approach in the pursuit of quality.
- User: Their interest is primarily focused on using the software. They’re mainly concerned with ease of use, performance, the reliability of results, and the price.
- Developer: Quality is more geared towards the software’s internal characteristics. They also evaluate aspects of compliance with client requirements.
- Manager: Product quality cannot be separated from the organization’s interests, and they also control the development timeline.
Given this, we can recognize that software quality isn’t merely another requirement or a formality viewed as ‘boring’ by some developers or managers. Instead, it’s a fundamental necessity that permeates the entire process of developing computer systems, essential for achieving business objectives, project goals, and, importantly, user satisfaction.
Software Quality and User Experience: An Interdependent Relationship
The intersection of software quality and user experience (UX) is more than just a theoretical concept; it’s the bedrock of successful digital products. While they might seem like two separate fields, they are, in fact, deeply interdependent.
A beautifully designed interface means little if the underlying software is buggy, slow, or unreliable. Ultimately, the true test of any software lies in how well it performs and how seamlessly users can interact with it. Indeed, software quality is an essential pillar for a good user experience. Even the most innovative design can fail if the software has problems with functionality, reliability, or performance.
Usability as a Link
Usability is a crucial attribute of any digital product; it defines how easy user interfaces are to use. A product that is not easy to use or learn will quickly be abandoned by users. Moreover, usability is also one of the software quality principles outlined in the ISO/IEC 25010 standards. This principle includes user interface aesthetics, user error protection, and other attributes that need to be considered when designing a digital product.
