The Reasons for TickIT

The TickIT scheme makes certification of software companies' Quality Management Systems more credible than does ISO 9000 alone. But TickIT certification is still, nominally, to the ISO 9000 standard.

Before TickIT, software certification to ISO 9000 or BS 5750 gave little assurance as to the quality of the supplier's products or services. This was mainly due to a lack of uniformity in the interpretation of ISO 9000 for software, a lack of qualified auditors with a good understanding of software, and deficiencies in the certification process.

TickIT aims to remedy these shortcomings. Originally set up by the UK Department of Trade and Industry, it has spread to many other countries (with the notable exception of the USA). In the UK it is now administered by the DISC TickIT office, part of the British Standards Institution.

What TickIT Consists Of

The main elements of TickIT are:

• Guidance. The TickIT Guide interprets ISO 9000 as it applies to software. In spite of recent improvements to ISO 9000, this is still necessary - have a look at ISO 9000 and you will see why!
• Assurance as to the competence of bodies authorised to grant TickIT certificates, and the auditors they employ. These are vetted, to ensure their competence in the software quality field, and registered.
• Confidence in the value of the certificate, through use of a defined assessment process, and regular surveillance and re-auditing of certified companies - on a timetable designed to keep pace with the fast-moving software industry.
• Use of the TickIT name and logo as a "seal of approval". These are legally restricted to certifications granted under the TickIT scheme.

When TickIT Applies

TickIT applies to almost all software-related activities, whether they involve product development, services or both. This includes software developed as part of some larger product, and in-house software developed purely for the company's own use. Full details are given in the TickIT Guide.

Is It Compulsory?

No. You can obtain an ISO 9000 certificate without going through the TickIT process. However, such a certificate may not carry the same credibility with prospective customers as a full TickIT certificate.

Further Information

The TickIT Guide and other materials are published by the DISC TickIT Office, 389 Chiswick High Road, LONDON W4 4AL, telephone 0208996 7427, fax 0208996 7429 or e-mail <tickit@bsi-global.com>. The TickIT web-site is at <URL:http://www.tickit.org>.

The author, as an independent Software Quality Consultant, will be pleased to provide advice on these matters and assistance in setting up a TickIT-compliant Quality Management System.