Software Quality
Constitutes a fundamental pillar in software engineering, directly reflecting on user satisfaction, operational efficiency, and the sustainability of computer systems.
Software Quality constitutes a fundamental pillar in software engineering, directly reflecting on user satisfaction, operational efficiency, and the sustainability of computer systems. This concept encompasses a range of attributes and criteria that determine how well software meets the needs and expectations of its users and stakeholders, in addition to adhering to pre-established development standards.
To understand Software Quality, it is essential to consider two aspects: internal quality and external quality. Internal quality refers to the inherent characteristics of the software’s code and architecture, including its readability, reusability, modularity, and the ease with which it can be maintained and evolved. These attributes are critical for the developers and maintainers of the system. On the other hand, external quality relates to the user’s experience when interacting with the software, covering aspects such as usability, performance, reliability, and security. External quality is often assessed through software testing and direct feedback from users.
Standards and models have been developed to assist in the evaluation and assurance of software quality, among which ISO/IEC 25010:2011, also known as SQuaRE (System and Software Quality Requirements and Evaluation), and CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integration) stand out. The ISO/IEC 25010 model, for instance, defines a set of quality characteristics, subdivided into sub-characteristics, that provide a framework for software evaluation. Such characteristics include functionality, performance efficiency, compatibility, usability, reliability, security, maintainability, and portability.
The implementation of software quality assurance practices is a continuous process, starting in the early stages of software conception and extending throughout its life cycle. It involves the application of agile development methodologies, continuous integration, automated testing, code reviews, and other software engineering practices aimed at identifying and correcting defects early, improving development efficiency, and ensuring that the final product meets or exceeds user expectations.
In summary, software quality is not an attribute that can be added after development; it must be an intrinsic consideration at every stage of the software development process. A systematic approach to quality management is important for delivering software products that not only function as expected but also provide a satisfactory user experience, remain relevant and evolvable in the face of market demands and technological challenges.
About the Area Coordinator
Prof. Ricardo Ajax
Research Team
Researchers
Professor at the University of Brasília (UnB), working in the Software Engineering undergraduate program on software quality, digital government, and software engineering education.
Previous Researchers
Postgraduate Specialization
- 2010
Antônio Henrique Braz Filho
Proposal for Improving a Software Product Supported by the Evaluation of Quality Characteristics
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2010
Caroline Berta
A Proposal for Software Quality Assurance Through the Verification of Test Scripts
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2010
Diogo Alves Miranda
Proposal for Improving a Maintenance Process
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2010
Hígor Estevan do Carmo Rodrigues
Proposal for a Test Process Based on CMMI Maturity Level 3
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2010
Igor Marrocos
Analysis and Resolution of Problem Causes: Proposing Improvements to Software Processes
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2010
Jairo Nóbrega Martínez
Barriers That Hinder the Use of Software Development Processes in Conservative Companies
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2010
Maria Eva Macedo
Proposal for Improving the Project Management Process for a Software Factory
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2009
Diego J. Macêdo
Using GQM to Evaluate the Maintenance Complexity of Legacy Systems
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2009
Gustavo Brito dos Santos
Comparison of MPS.BR with the ACTI Project Methodology and Monitoring
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2009
Rafael Sermenho Pedroso
Evaluation of Legacy Systems in Delphi
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2009
Renato de Oliveira Silva
Mapping and Proposal for Improvement of a Software Maintenance Process
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2008
Célia dos Santos de Oliveira
Proposal for Improvement in Requirements Development Based on the MPS.Br Model
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2007
Márcios Messias Fernandes da Silva
Use of Function Point Analysis to Measure the Size of Workflow Systems
Specialization in Project Engineering in Information Systems, UniCESP (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2006
Carlos Renato dos Santos Ramos
Effort Estimation for Software Maintenance: A Preliminary Investigation
Specialization in Project Engineering in Information Systems, UniCESP (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2006
Lúcia Freire Vieira, Janaína Almeida de Deus
Essential Documentation for Evaluating Legacy Systems: A Preliminary Study
Specialization in Project Engineering in Information Systems, UniCESP (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics
Undergraduate Research
Ramy da Silva Alcântara
Improvement of the embedded software development process
Undergraduate Research•2011
Advisor(s)Wagner Jerônimo Santos
Definition of a quality assurance process based on a process component architecture
Undergraduate Research•2011
Advisor(s)Guilherme B. Rêgo
Comparative analysis of embedded, critical, and safe software acquisition process models in the automotive industry context
Undergraduate Research•2010
Advisor(s)
Bachelor’s Thesis
- 2026/1
Luciano Ricardo da Silva Junior
Gamification as a Teaching Strategy for Code Smell Identification
Bachelor of Software Engineering - University of Brasília (Brazil) • Brasília, DF
Advisor(s) - 2025
Denniel William Roriz Lima
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2024
Daniel Barcelos Moreira, Juliana Pereira Valle Gonçalves
Accessibility evaluation tools for websites used by older adults: guidelines to support selection
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2024
Eduardo Miranda Roriz, Ian Pereira de Souza Rocha
Data quality in a big data environment: a systematic mapping
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2024
Francisco Heronildo Sousa Santos, João Vitor Ferreira Alves
Evaluation and improvement of a web application using usability mechanisms
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2024
Nathalia Lorena Cardoso Dias
Bachelor of Software Engineering - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2023
Guilherme Daniel Fernandes da Silva, Lorrayne Alves Cardozo
Software quality and population aging: an analysis based on ICT Household data
Bachelor of Software Engineering - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2023
Lucas Lopes Xavier
Implementation of LGPD and ISO 29100 privacy requirements in health applications
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2023
Nathalia Lorena Cardoso Dias
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2023
Ricardo de Castro Loureiro
Bachelor of Software Engineering - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2022
Cauê Mateus Oliveira, Lucas Midlhey Cardoso Naves
University of Heuristics - a game to support learning Nielsen's heuristics
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2022
Fabiana Luiza Vasconcelos Pfeilsticker Ribas
Accessibility analysis for older adults in e-Gov services
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2022
Gabriel de Jesus Carvalho
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2021
Augusto Moreno Vilarins Cardoso da Silva, Ícaro Pereira de Oliveira
Usability information extraction from app comments on the Play Store
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2021
Caio César de Almeida Beleza
Issues in software interfaces that lead users to errors and how to avoid them
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2020
Iolane Caroline Alves de Andrade
The use of exploratory testing - a practical application
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2020
Rafael Contessotto Bragança Pinheiro
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2018
Iago Rodrigues Gonçalves
Support for promoting the visibility of technical debt
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2015
Victor Hugo Alves de Carvalho
Impact analysis of programming techniques on the performance of AndroidTM applications
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2014
Ramaiane Medeiros da Silva
Quality in software process modeling
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2013
Antonio Bezerra da Silva Júnior
Tool support for the quality assurance process: QUASAR - Software Quality and Results Assessment
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2013
Eduardo Pinto Barbosa
Validity in Software Factory Contracting Processes Based on Agile Principles
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2013
Tiago Gomes Pereira
Definition of Acceptance Criteria Based on Product Quality Metrics for an Agile Software Development Demand Management Process
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics
Current Projects
- Doarti - Project for a technological solution to strengthen donation processes in the Federal District.
Publications and Productions
Publications (51)
- 2026/1
Luciano Ricardo da Silva Junior
Gamification as a Teaching Strategy for Code Smell Identification
Bachelor of Software Engineering - University of Brasília (Brazil) • Brasília, DF
Advisor(s) - 2026
Bruno Mello Andrade, Sergio Antônio Andrade de Freitas
Adaptive Gamification as a Software Process Analytics Instrument: An Industrial Case Study in a High-Maturity Environment
19th International Conference on the Quality of Information and Communications Technology (QUATIC 2026) • Genova, Italy
Topics - 2026
Luciano Ricardo da Silva Junior, Sergio Antônio Andrade de Freitas, André Luiz Peron Martins Lanna
DevDog: A Gamified Web Platform for Teaching Code Smell Identification
40th Brazilian Symposium on Software Engineering (SBES 2026) - Tools Track, September 8-11, 2026 • São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Paper accepted at the Tools Track of the 40th Brazilian Symposium on Software Engineering (SBES 2026), presenting DevDog, a deployed gamified web platform with theory guides, contextualized exercises, line-level smell marking, immediate feedback, collectible treats (petiscos), progressive hints, and community statistics. Implemented with React, Vite, Tailwind CSS, Express, Prisma, and PostgreSQL, covering a catalog of 19 smell types inspired by Fowler's catalog. - 2026
Ricardo Ajax Dias Kosloski, Leides Barroso de Azevedo Moura, Marília Miranda Forte Gomes
Brazilian Journal of Information Science: research trends, 20 (e026010)
- 2025
Denniel William Roriz Lima
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2025
Ricardo Ajax Dias Kosloski, Leides Barroso de Azevedo Moura, Marília Miranda Forte Gomes
ARACÊ, 7 (10487-10504)
- 2024
Daniel Barcelos Moreira, Juliana Pereira Valle Gonçalves
Accessibility evaluation tools for websites used by older adults: guidelines to support selection
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2024
Eduardo Miranda Roriz, Ian Pereira de Souza Rocha
Data quality in a big data environment: a systematic mapping
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2024
Francisco Heronildo Sousa Santos, João Vitor Ferreira Alves
Evaluation and improvement of a web application using usability mechanisms
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2024
Nathalia Lorena Cardoso Dias
Bachelor of Software Engineering - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2024
Ricardo Ajax Dias Kosloski, Marília Miranda Forte Gomes, Leides Barroso de Azevedo Moura, Simone Bezerra Franco
Seminário Internacional de Informação, Tecnologia e Inovação, pe194 • Maceió, AL, Brasil
- 2023
Guilherme Daniel Fernandes da Silva, Lorrayne Alves Cardozo
Software quality and population aging: an analysis based on ICT Household data
Bachelor of Software Engineering - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2023
Lucas Lopes Xavier
Implementation of LGPD and ISO 29100 privacy requirements in health applications
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2023
Nathalia Lorena Cardoso Dias
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2023
Ricardo de Castro Loureiro
Bachelor of Software Engineering - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2023
RODRIGUES PEREIRA, NAIRA RÚBIA, CELESTE, LETÍCIA CORRÊA, BARROS DE SALES, ANDRÉ, Mendes, Fabiana Freitas, BARBOSA FURIA, CRISTINA LEMOS
Usability study of a smartphone app entitled: Living with Parkinsons disease
HELIYON, 9 (e17572)
Topics - 2022
Cauê Mateus Oliveira, Lucas Midlhey Cardoso Naves
University of Heuristics - a game to support learning Nielsen's heuristics
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2022
Fabiana Luiza Vasconcelos Pfeilsticker Ribas
Accessibility analysis for older adults in e-Gov services
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2022
Gabriel de Jesus Carvalho
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2021
Augusto Moreno Vilarins Cardoso da Silva, Ícaro Pereira de Oliveira
Usability information extraction from app comments on the Play Store
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2021
Caio César de Almeida Beleza
Issues in software interfaces that lead users to errors and how to avoid them
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2020
Iolane Caroline Alves de Andrade
The use of exploratory testing - a practical application
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2020
Rafael Contessotto Bragança Pinheiro
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2019
Angélica Toffano Seidel Calazans, Roberto Ávila Paldês, Edna Dias Canedo, Eloisa Toffano Seidel Masson, Fernando de Albuquerque Guimarães, Kiane Mabel Fialho Rezende, Emeli Braosi, Ricardo Ajax Dias Kosloski
Quality Requirements: Analysis of Utilization in the Systems of a Financial Institution
2019 ACM/IEEE International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement (ESEM), p1-6 • Porto de Galinhas, Recife, Brasil
- 2018
Iago Rodrigues Gonçalves
Support for promoting the visibility of technical debt
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2018
CALAZANS, ANGÉLICA, MASSON, ELOISA, PALDÊS, ROBERTO, GUIMARÃES, FERNANDO, RESENDE, KIANE, KOSLOSKI, RICARDO
Requisitos de Qualidade de Usabilidade: análise da utilização em sistemas de uma instituição financeira
Workshop em Engenharia de Requisitos 2018
Topics - 2016
Karine Santos Valença, Edna Dias Canedo, Ricardo Ajax Dias Kosloski
Metamodeling applied to a measurement system
11th Iberian Conference on Information Systems and Technologies (CISTI), p1 • Gran Canaria, Spain
Topics - 2016
Thatiany Lima de Sousa, Elaine Venson, Rejane Maria da Costa Figueiredo, Ricardo Ajax Dias Kosloski, Luiz Carlos Miyadaira Ribeiro Júnior
Using Scrum in Outsourced Government Projects: An Action Research
49th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS 2016), p5447-5456 • Koloa, HI, USA
- 2016
VALENCA, K. S., CANEDO, E. D., KOSLOSKI, R. A. D., FREITAS, S. A. A.
Proposed Data Model for a Historical Base Tool
11th International Conference on Software Engineering Advances (ICSEA) • Rome
Topics - 2015
Victor Hugo Alves de Carvalho
Impact analysis of programming techniques on the performance of AndroidTM applications
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2015
Thatiany Lima de Sousa, Elaine Venson, Rejane Maria da Costa Figueiredo, Ricardo Ajax Dias Kosloski, Luiz Carlos Miyadaira Ribeiro Júnior
12th International Conference on Information Systems and Technology Management (CONTECSI) • São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- 2014
Ramaiane Medeiros da Silva
Quality in software process modeling
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2014
Thatiany Lima de Sousa, Rejane Maria da Costa Figueiredo, Elaine Venson, Ricardo Ajax Dias Kosloski
Experience in the IT Solutions Framework Project
CBSoft - VII Fórum de Educação em Engenharia de Software (FEES), p90-93 • Maceió, AL, Brasil
- 2013
Antonio Bezerra da Silva Júnior
Tool support for the quality assurance process: QUASAR - Software Quality and Results Assessment
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2013
Eduardo Pinto Barbosa
Validity in Software Factory Contracting Processes Based on Agile Principles
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2013
Tiago Gomes Pereira
Definition of Acceptance Criteria Based on Product Quality Metrics for an Agile Software Development Demand Management Process
Senior Project (Bachelor of Software Engineering) - University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2010
Antônio Henrique Braz Filho
Proposal for Improving a Software Product Supported by the Evaluation of Quality Characteristics
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2010
Caroline Berta
A Proposal for Software Quality Assurance Through the Verification of Test Scripts
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2010
Diogo Alves Miranda
Proposal for Improving a Maintenance Process
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2010
Hígor Estevan do Carmo Rodrigues
Proposal for a Test Process Based on CMMI Maturity Level 3
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2010
Igor Marrocos
Analysis and Resolution of Problem Causes: Proposing Improvements to Software Processes
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2010
Jairo Nóbrega Martínez
Barriers That Hinder the Use of Software Development Processes in Conservative Companies
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2010
Maria Eva Macedo
Proposal for Improving the Project Management Process for a Software Factory
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2009
Diego J. Macêdo
Using GQM to Evaluate the Maintenance Complexity of Legacy Systems
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2009
Gustavo Brito dos Santos
Comparison of MPS.BR with the ACTI Project Methodology and Monitoring
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2009
Rafael Sermenho Pedroso
Evaluation of Legacy Systems in Delphi
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2009
Renato de Oliveira Silva
Mapping and Proposal for Improvement of a Software Maintenance Process
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2008
Célia dos Santos de Oliveira
Proposal for Improvement in Requirements Development Based on the MPS.Br Model
Specialization in Software Engineering, Catholic University of Brasília (Brazil)
Advisor(s) - 2007
Márcios Messias Fernandes da Silva
Use of Function Point Analysis to Measure the Size of Workflow Systems
Specialization in Project Engineering in Information Systems, UniCESP (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2006
Carlos Renato dos Santos Ramos
Effort Estimation for Software Maintenance: A Preliminary Investigation
Specialization in Project Engineering in Information Systems, UniCESP (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics - 2006
Lúcia Freire Vieira, Janaína Almeida de Deus
Essential Documentation for Evaluating Legacy Systems: A Preliminary Study
Specialization in Project Engineering in Information Systems, UniCESP (Brazil)
Advisor(s)Topics
Contact & Collaboration
- Email for information and team contact: ricardoajax@unb.br.