The goal of software engineering is to achieve high-quality software in a cost-effective, timely, and reproducible manner. Advances in technology are enabling reductions in cost and schedule, but their effect on software quality assurance often remains unknown. Object-oriented concepts, component technology, components off the shelf (COTS) and open source software can dramatically reduce development time; however, assuring the quality of systems using these concepts is problematic.

The task of measuring and assuring the quality of software systems is getting harder with the advent of new software development processes. As an example, agile methods explicitly allow customers to change requirements very late in the project. Agile methods also take a "light weight" approach to project documentation and software testing. Reducing process overhead can improve response to change and speed product delivery, but may also adversely affect the project's risk profile. Little data exists on the quality of industrial systems developed using Agile methods.

The goal of this workshop is to bring together researchers, engineers, and practitioners to discuss and evaluate the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field of software quality assurance and to identify future trends and problems in this area.