Independent Software Quality Inspection Based on Global Standards

As an ERP consultant and IT governance advisor with decades of hands-on experience, I conduct independent software technical audits to assess the quality, integrity, performance, and compliance of enterprise and business-critical software systems. This page outlines my approach to what I call “Software Benchmark Ranking”—a structured evaluation method grounded in international standards and real-world vendor best practices.

Objective of the Audit

To inspect, rank, and provide strategic insight into business software—whether built in-house or acquired from vendors—by measuring against globally accepted benchmarks, including:

+ Specifications from leading vendors (e.g., Microsoft D365, SAP, Oracle, Salesforce)
+ ISO/IEC software quality standards
+ Secure software development frameworks
+ IT governance and data protection requirements

Standards and Frameworks Referenced

My evaluation approach draws from internationally recognized controls and conformance guidelines, including:

Standard / Framework Purpose, ISO/IEC 25010, Software product quality model, ISO/IEC 12207, Software lifecycle processes, ISO/IEC 27001 / 27701, Information security and data privacy CMMI-DEV (V2.0) Process maturity for software development, IEEE 1028 / 1012, Software inspection and verification standards, OWASP ASVS Application security verification practices, WCAG / UI-UX Heuristics Accessibility and user experience benchmarks.

Strategic Benchmark Rankings

Rankings based on criteria tailored to client needs help businesses select ERP solutions that best fit their growth plans.

Audit/Inspection Approach

My audit framework breaks down software evaluation across eight primary technical and governance domains:

System Architecture & Platform Alignment

+ Compatibility with operating systems and devices
+ Deployment models: on-premise, cloud-native, or hybrid
+ Architectural design patterns (modular, service-based, layered)

Codebase & Structure

+ Modular and layered architecture
+ Code clarity, reusability, and naming conventions
+ Source/version control system usage

Database & Metadata Management

+ Master data structure and referential integrity
+ Metadata-driven processing
+ Backup, retention, and archival strategies

Security & Access Control

+ Role-based access control (RBAC) and permission segregation
+ Data encryption (at-rest and in-transit)
+ Logging, anomaly detection, and user behavior auditability

Execution Performance & System Efficiency

+ Load and stress testing results
+ CPU/memory usage benchmarks
+ Responsiveness under concurrent user conditions

UX/UI & Accessibility

+ Responsiveness across devices
+ Clarity and intuitiveness of interface
+ Accessibility compliance (e.g., WCAG 2.1)

Documentation & End-User Support

+ Availability of structured technical and user documentation
+ Inline help and support tools
+ Update logs and product roadmap visibility

SDLC, DevOps, & Maintenance

+ Traceability across the Software Development Lifecycle
+ CI/CD automation and release management
+ Patch management, testing protocols, and upgrade routine

* Use Cases of This Audit

+ Enterprise procurement assessment before software investment
+ Product validation for in-house or third-party development
+ Software lifecycle audit for continuous improvement
+ Readiness checks for NBR, ISO, GDPR, or cybersecurity audits

📋 Audit Alignment with Enterprise Policies & Process Guidelines

Software systems cannot be evaluated in isolation—they must align with the enterprise’s broader governance framework, operational processes, and business objectives. My audit therefore integrates:

🏛️ Organizational Compliance References

+ Organizational Quality Manual: Software conformance to declared quality policies and process excellence goals
+ Process Guidelines & SOPs: Validation of whether software supports actual execution of standard operating procedures (SOPs)
+ Business Objectives & KPIs: Audit traceability linking software features and controls to specific business targets
+ Risk Management Framework: Identification of residual risks in software usage against organizational risk appetite
+ Information Governance Policy: Data ownership, access, security, and classification compliance
+ Digital Transformation or BD Roadmap: Conformity of software with long-term enterprise IT strategy and modernization plans

📏 Controls & Criteria Used in Audit Scoring

Each audit incorporates controls and measurable criteria drawn from both international standards and organizational documents.

Audit Source Criteria Used ISO/IEC 25010Functional suitability, maintainability, reliability ISO/IEC 27001 / 27701Confidentiality, integrity, availability, personal data handling ISO/IEC 12207 / CMMI-DEV Process maturity, traceability, and lifecycle integrity IEEE Standards (e.g., 1012, 830) Verification & validation processes, requirement completeness OWASP ASVS Security controls, session management, input validation Internal SOPs & Quality Manuals Business flow validation, audit trails, user accessibility Business Development Documents Feature-set alignment with product vision, innovation roadmap.

Audit checklists are customized per organization, while the ranking uses a transparent and explainable point system.

👥 Human Competency & Organizational Readiness Assessment

Effective software quality depends on people and infrastructure support just as much as code. This is why I include a competency audit of the human elements:

People Competency Evaluation Areas

Software Development & QA Team

• Coding and architecture design proficiency
• Awareness of secure coding practices and SDLC standards

System Administrators & DBAs
• OS/Database optimization, patching, backup routines
• Disaster recovery readiness

Security & Compliance Officers
• Identity and access management expertise
• Audit log monitoring, data breach response capabilities

IT Infrastructure & Support Engineers
• Knowledge of cloud/on-premise deployment
• Network resilience, uptime assurance

Middle & Executive Management
• Understanding of digital strategy, ERP lifecycle, and audit implications
• Responsiveness to audit recommendations and remediation plans

Each role is assessed through interviews, documented competencies, certifications, or performance logs.

🧭 Organizational Infrastructure & Management Support

A sound enterprise software ecosystem is enabled by the right infrastructure and leadership. My audit assesses:
+ Infrastructure Capacity: Servers, cloud provisioning, backups, failover mechanisms
+ ICT Governance Framework: Defined roles, escalation paths, and decision rights
+ Support from Management: Budget allocation, leadership commitment, openness to change
+ IT Policy Enforcement: Evidence of regular reviews, non-conformance handling, and compliance records

📌 Final Recommendations

The Software Benchmark Audit does not just point out weaknesses— it offers targeted, actionable recommendations to:
+ Optimize system performance and security
+ Close conformance gaps
+ Improve documentation and maintainability
+ Empower internal teams through training and best practices
+ Align IT systems more closely with long-term enterprise strategy

Output: Software Benchmark Scorecard

Each audited software receives a composite score based on domain-level compliance and maturity. This may be presented as:

+ A++ to C grading scale

+ Heatmap of domain strengths and weaknesses
+ Benchmark gap analysis versus global leaders
+ Compliance reports mapped to ISO/IEC or CMMI controls

+ Use Cases of This Audit

+ Enterprise procurement assessment before software investment
+ Product validation for in-house or third-party development
+ Software lifecycle audit for continuous improvement
+ Readiness checks for NBR, ISO, GDPR, or cybersecurity audits

+ Tailored Optimization Strategies

+ Customized recommendations aligning software with business goals.

+ Benchmarking with Precision

+ Applying rigorous criteria to rank software solutions effectively.

Why This Matters

In an era where business software powers mission-critical operations, technical transparency and compliance are no longer optional—they’re strategic imperatives. My software benchmark audit services help organizations:

Make informed decisions

Reduce operational risk

+ Ensure alignment with global best practices
+ Strengthen investor, auditor, and customer confidence

Interested in a Software Audit?

Mujahidul Haque

If you’re a developer, founder, CTO, investor, or enterprise IT buyer—get in touch for a confidential, independent software audit. I offer full-stack reviews or focused assessments tailored to your context.
📩 Contact Me for a consultation
🌐 Or explore my LinkedIn for credentials and past engagements