1. 5.6.4 h Discuss the need for agreed standards of quality and reliability in information processing systems and in the design of computer software.

2. Quality assurance is needed within the industry to promote customer confidence and to make sure that minimum standards of performance and reliability are met. This can be done by working towards agreed standards. A company may have its own internal standards. With system design and software, standards are more likely to be nationally or internationally agreed.

3. Produced standards for systems - International Organisation for Standards (ISO) American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Ministry of Defence Research these standards on the internet

4. Adoption of standards allows - A mechanism for quality control Identify and disseminate good practice Define what is seen as the best way of doing things New staff joining can familiarise themselves more quickly with the work since they will know the practice and methods in use