Although certification of compliance to ISO 9001 is a contractual requirement for software suppliers in certain market areas, it should be a by-product of the more fundamental aims of quality achievement and improvement, and the delivery of customer satisfaction. Certification practice Certification is conducted by independent external quality assurance agencies known as third party certification bodies. The certification bodies use technically qualified TickIT auditors who have been specially trained and subjected to rigorous professional vetting.
Procedures exist to enable other accreditation agencies to join the scheme.
Thus, TickIT gives software developers an accredited quality system certification scheme that meets the special needs of the industry, enjoys the confidence of professional staff and commands respect from purchasers and suppliers. TickIT applies to all types of information systems supply which involve software development processes. Typical systems suppliers include system houses, software houses and in-house developers. TickIT disciplines are also relevant to the development of embedded software. In the UK, TickIT is recognised by all Government departments and major purchasers and it is compatible with European requirements for accredited quality system certification.