The challenge
A global tier one supplier in the automotive industry, headquartered in Germany, was a leader in mechanics and electronics but lacked software experience.
Software was often not a priority in the company. In individual departments, software was developed by electronic engineers as needed in addition to electronic components. The delivery processes for OEMs were not standardized, so the product quality was dependent on the skills of the employees involved. As a result, the company had to face poor product quality and faults. This was typically caused by uncontrolled or late changes in the software, missing integration tests or verification faults.
Project duration
About 2 years
Our approach
- Acquisition of software knowledge.
- Knowledge transfer by experienced professionals.
- Implementation and documentation of standardized processes and tools.
- Deployment of the Stages process management system.
The technical development management categorized the consequent acquisition of software expertise, the introduction of standardized software engineering processes and modern tools as being a high priority. Automotive SPICE® and a verification and validation structure based on the V-model were used as the basis.
The crucial success criteria for the definition of software engineering processes was the deployment of competent specialists: Processes were defined not only by process experts but also by experts of each discipline. Responsibility for design processes, for example, was transferred to the employee with the deepest company-wide know-how in model-based software development. This approach led to high quality results and — due to the credibility of this employee — to high process acceptance among users.
Those with process responsibilities were also tasked to communicate know-how and train employees in the new processes and methods. All this was only possible with the clearly and repeatedly communicated commitment and the practical support of development management.
Simplicity was the key to success for process design. The basis was the modeling of processes, milestones, involved roles, methods and tools, which are result-oriented and easy to understand for end users. UL Solutions assisted with this modeling in Stages, our process management tool, and supported the immediate application of new processes, including project-specific tailoring. This strategy resulted in short and effective feedback cycles.
With this method, the company was able to quickly increase software quality, establish software as an innovation motor in the company, integrate new technologies such as AUTOSAR in processes and tools and fulfill new requirements of Functional Safety. With the consequent standardization and documentation of processes, the company quickly doubled its workforce in technical development. This propelled the company to thea top position of innovation in the automotive industry.
Benefits
- Established a leading position in innovation and technology, due to software engineering.
- Low-friction increase in workforce by 100% within 1.5 years.
- Repeated “Best-in-Class” certification by OEMs.
- Successful Automotive SPICE® Level 3 assessments.
- Entire fulfillment of requirements by ISO 26262 and similar standards.
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