Which part of a quality management plan focuses on ensuring that software meets the required standards?

The focus of a quality management plan that ensures software meets the required standards is primarily embodied in the quality assurance plan. This aspect of the quality management plan outlines the systematic processes and activities put in place to guarantee that the software development processes adhere to established quality standards. Quality assurance involves proactive measures, such as defining quality criteria, creating processes to meet those criteria, conducting audits, and implementing continuous improvement practices. It aims to build quality into the software development lifecycle and includes the metrics and best practices used to gauge compliance with quality standards.

In contrast, while a quality control plan is typically concerned with the inspection and testing of software to detect defects after they occur, it does not provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring quality from the outset. Similarly, a quality improvement plan focuses on identifying areas of enhancement in processes but not specifically enforcing or assuring adherence to standards through systematic approaches. The quality evaluation plan often pertains to assessing the effectiveness of the quality efforts made but generally does not encompass the proactive measures defined within a quality assurance plan. Therefore, the quality assurance plan stands out as the integral component dedicated to ensuring that software conforms to the specified standards throughout its development.