ASSESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY ATTRIBUTES AND METRICS IN MOBILE GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) APPLICATIONS.

Abstract

The need for quality software that satisfies both customers and software developers is very essential. Quality attributes and metrics play an essential role in assuring the quality of software during the software development process. This thesis was done with an industrial partner and its aim was to access the importance of quality attributes and metrics in mobile geographical information systems (GIS) applications. As a case study, this thesis used an existing mobile device called the GuardTools which is an operational support system specially adapted to the security branch and also a kind of geographical information system. One of the main objectives of this thesis was to investigate the effects of introducing GPS and maps as a feature to the GuardTools and also to find out the effects of the proposed feature in supporting the daily work practice of security guard companies and their security guard. Studying work practice and literature reviews were used as research methods for this thesis. Data collected for the thesis was done through a survey and interviews. The findings from the data collected give evidence that introducing GPS and maps as a feature in the GuardTools will have more positive effect as compared to the negative effects. The outcome of this thesis is a quality model which will assist the intended audience for this thesis that is the quality assurance manager and the tester to efficiently assess the quality of the proposed feature. The aim of this quality model is also to help in bringing to light the importance of quality attributes and metrics.