The full form of SQA is Software Quality Assurance.

Software quality assurance (SQA) is a process which assures that all software engineering processes, methods, activities and work items are monitored and comply against the defined standards. These defined standards could be one or a combination of any like ISO 9000, CMMI model, ISO15504, etc.

SQA incorporates all software development processes starting from defining requirements to coding until release. Its prime goal is to ensure quality.

Abbreviated as SQAP, the software quality assurance plan comprises of the procedures, techniques, and tools that are employed to make sure that a product or service aligns with the requirements defined in the SRS(software requirement specification).

The plan identifies the SQA responsibilities of a team, lists the areas that need to be reviewed and audited. It also identifies the SQA work products.

The SQA plan document consists of the below sections:

1. Purpose section
2. Reference section
3. Software configuration management section
4. Problem reporting and corrective action section
5. Tools, technologies and methodologies section
6. Code control section
7. Records: Collection, maintenance and retention section
8. Testing methodology