Abstract This paper documents the results of the PIM.3 (Process Improvement Management) working group in INTACS (International Assessor Certification Schema) supported by the VDA‐QMC (Verband der Deutschen Automobilindustrie/German Automotive Association–Quality Management Center). INTACS promotes Automotive SPICE, which is an international standard that allows process capability assessment of projects, which implement systems that integrate mechanics, electronics, and software including optionally cybersecurity, functional safety, and machine learning. The paper outlines that for the first time since more than 20 years, the INTACS and VDA‐QMC included a process like PIM.3 Process Improvement Management in the scope for the assessor training. Before that, the assessments focused on the management, engineering, and support processes of series projects, while the improvement management has not been trained or assessed.

Abstract The Verein der Deutschen Automobilindustrie (VDA) guidelines used for the interpretation of Automotive SPICE 3.1 contain many rules and recommendations and assessors apply them to check the consistency of ratings in an assessment. The VDA guidelines contain detailed procedures and templates to be used in planning, performing and reporting an assessment. However, an assessment is only a small part compared with the support and effort needed to implement improvements and to establish a company‐wide process improvement programme based on best practices. Whereas the VDA guidelines define the assessment process in detail, the ISO norm ISO/IEC 33014:2013 (Information technology—Process assessment—Guide for process improvement) defines a process improvement process. This paper analyses the ISO/IEC 33014:2013 norm and interprets it for the automotive sector and describes a state of the art improvement strategy typical of the automotive industry. Also, the SOQRATES group experiences about good and bad practices in implementing improvement programmes are shared and mapped onto the SPI manifesto principles. The paper concludes with a recommendation to add an improvement strategy‐related appendix to the VDA guidelines.

Abstract The SoQrates Working Group “Traces” develops methods for documenting a continuous flow of information and takes into account the transparency of the activities of the different disciplines. Particularly, the level of detail, accuracy, and completeness of the interfaces are considered. These methods consider also the required traceability demanded by different standards. By using the developed methods, a platform development with reusable components is possible. In combination with an efficient variant management, existing components can be combined to new customer products in a very short time (design to market). The closed traceability approach increases quality and safety veritably without additional resources. This paper describes the current results of the SoQrates Working Group “Traces” as a method description with best practice examples of the participating companies and research institutions.