Holistic Solution of Unified Framework for Integration of Safety Process into Automotive Software Development Process

The rapid advancement of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving has significantly increased the software content and complexity within modern vehicles. Consequently, ensuring both high process quality and compliance or qualification with functional safety standards becomes critically important. Automotive Software Process Improvement and Capability Determination (ASPICE 4.0) focuses on evaluating and improving software development processes, while ISO 26262-2018 standard ensures the establishment of functional safety in road vehicles. The efficient integration of the process and standard remains a key challenge due to differences in their objectives, terminologies, and assessment criteria. The misalignment between ASPICE 4.0 and ISO 26262-2018 standard often results in duplicated efforts, rework of work products, and delays in product release schedules. This paper proposes a unified framework to bridge ASPICE 4.0 process areas with ISO 26262-2018 safety standard recommendations and activities. The framework introduces a refined V-model that integrates safety lifecycle activities directly into ASPICE 4.0 process workflows, enabling a harmonized and systematic approach to software development and safety compliance. While maintaining a focus on system engineering (SYS) and software engineering (SWE) process areas, this paper also discusses how the hardware engineering (HWE) process and support process (SUP) areas in ASPICE 4.0 can be mapped to the ISO 26262-2018 standard. In addition, the proposed framework addresses the concept phase of the safety lifecycle, encompassing item definition, HARA, safety goals and functional safety concept. This technique facilitates higher process efficiency, reduces redundant activities, and enhances product quality while maintaining compliance with both standards. The harmonized approach presented in this paper provides a holistic solution to current industry challenges by enabling incorporation of safety practices within automotive software development process. This ensures that software-defined vehicle systems meet quality and safety expectations, supporting timely product delivery in an increasingly competitive and regulated automotive market.