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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:
- Process dimension – ASPICE® processes are explicitly designed for applications in the automotive industry.
- 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.
What our Automotive SPICE® services include
TÜV SÜD’s holistic service 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
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What key benefits does Automotive SPICE® bring to the automotive industry?
- Safety and reliability – A structured approach helps to ensure software functions reliably under various operating conditions.
- Standards compliance - Oganisations align software development processes with standards and regulations such as ISO 26262 or ISO/SAE 21434.
- Quality assurance – Promotion of robust quality assurance processe detect and prevent defects early in the development life cycle.
- Cost reduction – Identifying inefficiencies and areas for improvement lowers software development costs.
- Competitive advantage – ASPICE® demonstrates a company’s commitment to quality and process excellence enhancing market reputation and competitive position.
- Risk management – Promoting proactive risk management practices help organisations anticipate and address potential issues before they escalate.
- Supplier collaboration – A common framework for assessing and improving software development processes across the supply chain fosters stakeholder collaboration and alignment.
- Continuous improvement – A framework for assessing process maturity and identifying areas for enhancement fosters a continuous improvement culture enabling 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.
What does the ASPICE® process dimension cover?
Following you can find the 38 processes of the Automotive SPICE®,
On what state-of-the-art models is ASPICE® support based?
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)
