On the Factors in Quantum Software Quality

A McCall-based factor-criterion-metric model extended for probabilistic, backend-dependent, and hybrid quantum-classical software

Jianjun Zhao· 2026· DOI 10.48550/arXiv.2609.29705

The core problem

As quantum computing evolves, the demand for high-quality quantum software is increasing. Classical software quality models, such as McCall's model, provide a useful foundation, but they do not explicitly capture distinctive properties of quantum software, including probabilistic measurement outcomes, backend-dependent behavior, and hybrid quantum-classical workflows. This paper addresses that gap by proposing a base quality model for quantum software using McCall's factor-criterion-metric structure as the organizing backbone. The model broadens the set of quality factors by drawing on representative classical software quality models and standards and introduces quantum-specific extensions only where needed. The intended contribution is a common starting point for structuring, assessing, and communicating quality concerns in quantum software while supporting context-specific adaptation. The paper defines the resulting factor set and quality criteria, provides a many-to-many mapping of core factor-to-criterion relationships, discusses representative candidate metrics together with the execution, reference, and interpretation conditions needed to use them, and illustrates how the res

Innovation

The paper reports the construction of a base quality model for quantum software. The results are the model artifacts themselves: (1) a defined factor set, (2) a defined set of quality criteria, (3) a many-to-many mapping of core factor-to-criterion relationships, and (4) representative candidate metrics with the execution, reference, and interpretation conditions needed to use them. The model uses McCall's factor-criterion-metric structure as the organizing backbone, broadens the set of quality factors by drawing on representative classical software quality models and standards, and introduces quantum-specific extensions only where needed. The paper also illustrates how the resulting model can be applied across the quantum software lifecycle. No quantitative experimental results, benchmark scores, or empirical validation are reported in the abstract; the contribution is the structured model and its application illustration. The model is intended as a common starting point for structuring, assessing, and communicating quality concerns in quantum software while supporting context-specific adaptation. The paper states that further expert feedback, case studies, and empirical studies c

As quantum computing evolves, the demand for high-quality quantum software is increasing. Classical software quality models, such as McCall's model, provide a useful foundation, but they do not explicitly capture distinctive properties of quantum software, including probabilistic measurement outcomes, backend-dependent behavior, and hybrid quantum-classical workflows. This paper addresses that gap by proposing a base quality model for quantum software using McCall's factor-criterion-metric structure as the organizing backbone. The model broadens the set of quality factors by drawing on representative classical software quality models and standards and introduces quantum-specific extensions only where needed. The intended contribution is a common starting point for structuring, assessing, and communicating quality concerns in quantum software while supporting context-specific adaptation. The paper defines the resulting factor set and quality criteria, provides a many-to-many mapping of core factor-to-criterion relationships, discusses representative candidate metrics together with the execution, reference, and interpretation conditions needed to use them, and illustrates how the resulting model can be applied across the quantum software lifecycle. The work is positioned as a base model to be evaluated and refined through further expert feedback, case studies, and empirical studies across different quantum software contexts.

The methodology is a structured model-construction approach. The organizing backbone is McCall's factor-criterion-metric hierarchy: quality factors express high-level quality goals, criteria operationalize factors into assessable characteristics, and metrics provide measurable indicators. The paper first broadens the set of quality factors by drawing on representative classical software quality models and standards, then introduces quantum-specific extensions only where needed to capture distinctive properties of quantum software. The resulting factor set and quality criteria are defined, and a many-to-many mapping of core factor-to-criterion relationships is provided. For each representative candidate metric, the paper discusses the execution, reference, and interpretation conditions needed to use it. The model is then illustrated across the quantum software lifecycle. The approach is conceptual and integrative rather than empirical: the paper does not report a controlled experiment or case study, and it explicitly states that further expert feedback, case studies, and empirical studies can be used to evaluate and refine the model and its application across different quantum software contexts. This positions the contribution as a base model intended for adaptation rather than a validated measurement instrument.

Why it matters

The central analytical claim is that classical software quality models such as McCall's provide a useful foundation but do not explicitly capture distinctive properties of quantum software, including probabilistic measurement outcomes, backend-dependent behavior, and hybrid quantum-classical workflows. The proposed model responds by retaining the factor-criterion-metric backbone while broadening factors from classical models and standards and adding quantum-specific extensions only where needed. This selective extension strategy is intended to preserve compatibility with established quality thinking while making the model usable for quantum contexts. The many-to-many factor-to-criterion mapping reflects the reality that quality concerns in quantum software are not one-to-one: a single factor may require multiple criteria, and a criterion may support multiple factors. The discussion of execution, reference, and interpretation conditions for candidate metrics highlights that metrics are not self-contained; their meaningful use depends on how they are executed, what they are compared against, and how their results are interpreted. The lifecycle illustration suggests the model can be applied across quantum software development stages, but the paper positions the model as a base starting point rather than a finalized standard. The stated path forward is evaluation and refinement through expert feedback, case studies, and empirical studies across different quantum software contexts. The taxonomy candidates listed for this digest—Architecture, Cybersecurity, Network, and Cryptography—are not explicitly discussed in the abstract; they may serve as potential application domains for context-specific adaptation of the model, but the source does not provide details on these mappings.

Who should read this

CS practitioners and researchers

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