Multiple windows, task complexity, and SQA effectiveness

A new software quality assurance (SQA) effectiveness measure called grade, is defined and tested. Hypotheses are related to an original, theoretical, online, multitasking, display model. Results show that grade is independent of measured effects of windows, and instead depends only upon human task complexity. Because windows were invented to improve online productivity and are presently so popular, and availability of multiple windows does not make online SQA more productive, the question as to what they actually accomplish arises. Windows are a part of a new viewability construct, which may be the highest level visual display construct. Viewability is the ability to simultaneously display all pieces of information needed to perform a task in an interval of time, while excluding unneeded information. Windows seem to enhance the new display construct.<>