HPCMP CREATE-AV Quality Assurance: Lessons Learned by Validating and Supporting Computation-Based Engineering Software

A successful fielding of computation-based engineering (CBE) software requires quality assurance to be built into the fabric of capability development and deployment processes. Good software quality is an emergent property of the healthy interplay among CBE software development teams, testing teams, user support, and training teams, with the vital notion of continual feedback to improve the user experience. This article describes how the HPCMP CREATE Air Vehicles (AV) project addresses these topics through the functions performed by its quality assurance group. Industry quality standards are discussed and their strengths and weaknesses within the CREATE-AV framework addressed. The article concludes with lessons and best practices learned over the course of an extended (seven+ year) effort to field next-generation multiphysics aviation design tools to the DoD community.