What key benefits does Automotive SPICE® bring to the automotive industry?

Safety and reliability – ASPICE’ s structured approach to software development emphasises safety-critical aspects . This helps to ensure software functions reliably under various operating conditions. Standards compliance with s tandards – The automotive sector is subject to numerous standards and regulations, such as ISO 26262 for functional safety or ISO/SAE 21434 for Automotive Cybersecurity. ASPICE helps organisations align software development processes with these standards . Q uality assurance – ASPICE promotes robust quality assurance processes, including those related to management, testing, and validation. This detects and prevents defects early in the development life cycle. Cost reduction – ASPICE helps organisations identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement . This lowers the overall cost of software development. Competitive advantage – Companies that implement ASPICE demonstrate their commitment to quality and process excellence . This enhances their market reputation and competitive position. It is particularly relevant as customers and stakeholders that are increasingly preferring to work with organisations that adhere to recognised industry standards. Risk management – ASPICE promotes proactive risk management practices, such as risk identification, analysis and mitigation . This helps organisations anticipate and address potential issues before they escalate. Supplier collaboration – ASPICE provides a common framework for assessing and improving software development processes across the supply chain . This fosters collaboration and alignment among stakeholders. Continuous improvement – ASPICE fosters a culture of continuous improvement as it provides a framework for assessing process maturity and identifying areas for enhancement . This enables organisations to stay ahead of the software development curve.

What does the ASPICE capability dimension cover?

During an ASPICE assessment, the capability of each process is evaluated to build a detailed overview of the software development project’s strengths and required improvements. Level 0 (incomplete) – The expected results of a process do not exist, are incomplete or unsuitable, or the process activities are not carried out. Level 1 (performed) – The results of the process exist but they and the process activities have not been controlled. Level 2 (managed) – Process activities implementation is planned and monitored, responsibilities are clarified, the process results are systematically filed and quality assured. Level 3 (established ) – Standard processes are defined in the organisation under ASPICE assessment and being implemented in the specific project. Levels 4 (predictable) and 5 (innovating) – Process implementation statistical indicators are defined, collected during implementation and used for further improvement. The definition and measurement of process adherence within the ASPICE evels are applied alongside the level of thoroughness and expertise that is appropriate to each base practice activity. This is because more critical applications require thorough analysis.

What does the ASPICE process dimension cover?

Following you can find the 38 processes of the Automotive SPICE®: Download the ASPICE model here with more details.

On what state-of-the-art models does TÜV SÜD base its ASPICE support to companies wanting to manage and improve software development process quality?

TÜV SÜD’s approach is complete and covers all quality aspects along the life cycle of a software-based automotive system. It is based on the following industry state-of-the-art models: Automotive SPICE® PAM 3.1 Automotive SPICE® PAM 4.0 (Base processes, Flex/Optional processes, System Engineering processes, Software Engineering processes) Automotive SPICE® PAM 4.0 (Hardware Engineering processes) Automotive SPICE® PAM 4.0 (Machine Learning Engineering processes) Automotive SPICE® for Cybersecurity PAM 1.0 Agile SPICE PAM 1.3 Modeling & Simulation SPICE (upcoming) <p data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem" class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW13951234 BCX8" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">

Automotive SPICE®| ASPICE | ASPICE Assessment

What is Automotive SPICE®?

Automotive SPICE® is a registered trademark of the Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V. (VDA).

Automotive SPICE® (ASPICE) is the framework used by the global automotive industry to evaluate and improve the software development processes for vehicle systems. SPICE stands for “Software Process Improvement and Capability dEtermination”.

ASPICE is based on the ISO/IEC 330xx series of standards. It defines a Process Reference Model (PRM) and Process Assessment Model (PAM), which describe both the processes and indicators for the assessment of these processes. Automotive SPICE® consists of two dimensions:

1. Process dimension – ASPICE processes are explicitly designed for applications in the automotive industry.

2. Capability dimension – Six process capability levels (according to ISO/IEC 330xx series definitions) which specify how each level is achieved.

TÜV SÜD’s Automotive SPICE® services cover all quality aspects along the life cycle of a software-based automotive system.

Why Automotive SPICE® is important?

Automotive software is becoming increasingly complex with the integration of advanced features such as autonomous driving, connectivity and electrification. Manufacturers must also meet multiple market demands relating to technological capabilities, safety, economic efficiency and sustainability.

As vehicles rely more on sophisticated systems, the automotive market faces shorter software development times but must still ensure reliability. The ability to monitor and improve development processes for software-based automotive systems is essential.

ASPICE assessment proves conformity with ASPICE requirements and monitors and improves software-based system development processes. As a structured approach it emphasises safety-critical aspects to manage the complexity of software development, progress efficiency, and ensure quality. This is creating safer and more reliable vehicles for improved customer satisfaction and advanced market credibility that generates a competitive advantage for organisations involved in automotive software development.

Automotive SPICE® also helps organisations align their software development processes with relevant industry standards and regulations. This facilitates compliance efforts and reduces the risk of non-compliance. OEMs work with a network of suppliers to develop new software. ASPICE provides a common framework for software development processes across the supply chain. This fosters collaboration and alignment between different stakeholders and implements a culture of continuous improvement.

How TÜV SÜD helps you with Automotive SPICE®?

TÜV SÜD has a proven track record of more than a century in automotive safety, security and performance expertise. Our mission is focused on supporting manufacturers and automotive suppliers to continuously improve technologies and develop innovative new ones.

Although functional safety, cybersecurity and Automotive SPICE® are currently addressed separately, these processes have many overlapping requirements for the development process.

TÜV SÜD offers comprehensive service packages to help you take advantage of the common elements within the given process frameworks. We support you with a holistic evaluation of your development process and provide an integrated process assessment in line with the most up-to-date standards in the automotive industry. This integrated approach helps you achieve improved process efficiency across manufacturing operations. It also eliminates overlapping work which decreases the costs of implementing functional safety, cybersecurity, and Automotive SPICE®.

We support you along the entire value chain with our international network of experts.
We provide comprehensive, systematic, consistent & impartial evaluation.
We cover all automotive system life cycle aspects to improve quality, safety, reliability, and robustness.
We discover deficiencies early to minimise your project cost and time.

Get started with TÜV SÜD

Start your Automotive SPICE® journey with us today.

Request a reachout

What our Automotive SPICE® services include?

TÜV SÜD’s holistic services cover all quality aspects along the life cycle of a software-based automotive system. Our services include:

Readiness analysis

Development approaches used by project or organisation
Team’s software-based system development abilities
Gaps against required capability levels

Advisory

Development approaches and organisational processes improvement recommendations
Team capabilities and competencies enhancement proposals
Filling the gap’s advice

Assessment

Strengths and improvement potentials profile
Risk profile
Risk prioritisation
Process capability profile

FAQs on Automotive SPICE®

What key benefits does Automotive SPICE® bring to the automotive industry?
- Safety and reliability – ASPICE’s structured approach to software development emphasises safety-critical aspects. This helps to ensure software functions reliably under various operating conditions.
- Standards compliance with standards – The automotive sector is subject to numerous standards and regulations, such as ISO 26262 for functional safety or ISO/SAE 21434 for Automotive Cybersecurity. ASPICE helps organisations align software development processes with these standards.
- Quality assurance – ASPICE promotes robust quality assurance processes, including those related to management, testing, and validation. This detects and prevents defects early in the development life cycle.
- Cost reduction – ASPICE helps organisations identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement. This lowers the overall cost of software development.
- Competitive advantage – Companies that implement ASPICE demonstrate their commitment to quality and process excellence. This enhances their market reputation and competitive position. It is particularly relevant as customers and stakeholders that are increasingly preferring to work with organisations that adhere to recognised industry standards.
- Risk management – ASPICE promotes proactive risk management practices, such as risk identification, analysis and mitigation. This helps organisations anticipate and address potential issues before they escalate.
- Supplier collaboration – ASPICE provides a common framework for assessing and improving software development processes across the supply chain. This fosters collaboration and alignment among stakeholders.
- Continuous improvement – ASPICE fosters a culture of continuous improvement as it provides a framework for assessing process maturity and identifying areas for enhancement. This enables organisations to stay ahead of the software development curve.
What does the ASPICE capability dimension cover?
During an ASPICE assessment, the capability of each process is evaluated to build a detailed overview of the software development project’s strengths and required improvements.
- Level 0 (incomplete) – The expected results of a process do not exist, are incomplete or unsuitable, or the process activities are not carried out.
- Level 1 (performed) – The results of the process exist but they and the process activities have not been controlled.
- Level 2 (managed) – Process activities implementation is planned and monitored, responsibilities are clarified, the process results are systematically filed and quality assured.
- Level 3 (established) – Standard processes are defined in the organisation under ASPICE assessment and being implemented in the specific project.
- Levels 4 (predictable) and 5 (innovating) – Process implementation statistical indicators are defined, collected during implementation and used for further improvement.
The definition and measurement of process adherence within the ASPICE evels are applied alongside the level of thoroughness and expertise that is appropriate to each base practice activity. This is because more critical applications require thorough analysis.
What does the ASPICE process dimension cover?

Following you can find the 38 processes of the Automotive SPICE®:

Download the ASPICE model here with more details.
On what state-of-the-art models does TÜV SÜD base its ASPICE support to companies wanting to manage and improve software development process quality?
TÜV SÜD’s approach is complete and covers all quality aspects along the life cycle of a software-based automotive system. It is based on the following industry state-of-the-art models:
- Automotive SPICE® PAM 3.1
- Automotive SPICE® PAM 4.0 (Base processes, Flex/Optional processes, System Engineering processes, Software Engineering processes)
- Automotive SPICE® PAM 4.0 (Hardware Engineering processes)
- Automotive SPICE® PAM 4.0 (Machine Learning Engineering processes)
- Automotive SPICE® for Cybersecurity PAM 1.0
- Agile SPICE PAM 1.3
- Modeling & Simulation SPICE (upcoming)