Automotive SPICE is a framework for designing and assessing software development processes. If implemented effectively, it leads to better processes and better product quality. It also helps to improve the cooperation among complex supply chains and between globally distributed development and engineering centers.

Automotive SPICE has been derived from the ISO/IEC 15504 standard, also known as SPICE. It has been developed under the Automotive SPICE initiative by the consensus of several major car manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Ford, Fiat, Daimler, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Today, Automotive SPICE has become a standard in the international automotive industry.

This book is written as a guide to help the reader understand and interpret the requirements of this standard and to implement Automotive SPICE in a real world application environment. It is written for engineers, practitioners, managers, and project managers who need practical guidance in applying or implementing the Automotive SPICE framework in his/her company. Important topics, such as traceability, functional safety (IEC 61508), and the relationship between Automotive SPICE and CMMI are given particular attention.

This book is a definite must for practitioners involved in implementing Automotive SPICE in process improvement programs; a welcome aid for any assessor looking for clear, consistent, and constructive rating guidelines; and an invaluable resource for anyone concerned with engineering development processes in the automotive industry.