Software is no longer an add-on in vehicles. It defines performance, safety, and user experience. Powertrain management, ADAS, and autonomous driving all depend on structured, reliable, and scalable software. Yet, complexity brings risks. Without well-defined processes, software development can become unpredictable, making quality and compliance difficult to maintain.
Automotive SPICE, known as ASPICE, provides a structured way to assess and improve software and system development. It is often framed as a requirement for working with OEMs, but companies that approach it as an opportunity rather than an obligation unlock efficiency, cost savings, and innovation.
ASPICE is structured into six capability levels, but most organizations focus on three.
Level 1. Software is developed and delivered, but process control is minimal.
Level 2. Development becomes structured, monitored, and repeatable.
Level 3. Methods are standardized and applied across all projects.
Each level brings a shift in how teams work, but moving from one stage to the next is more than a procedural upgrade. It requires a different mindset.
ASPICE Maturity Levels in Practice
ASPICE Level 1 – Performed
At this stage, teams successfully develop software, but process control is inconsistent. Engineering expertise plays a key role in delivering results, but without formal structures, scaling and maintaining quality across projects becomes difficult.
Common Characteristics
Reliance on individual knowledge rather than documented processes.
Limited traceability, increasing the risk of integration issues.
Quality control is reactive, with defects often discovered late in development.
This approach is typical in startups, early-stage suppliers, or innovation-driven teams where rapid development is prioritized over process discipline. Some high-performing teams manage to deliver excellent software at this level, but consistency is hard to maintain as complexity grows.
Example
A small supplier developing software for an infotainment system may operate at this level. While the team produces high-quality code, a lack of structured traceability means integrating with a Tier 1 supplier’s system can lead to unexpected issues.
ASPICE Level 2 – Managed
Processes at this level are structured, controlled, and repeatable. Development no longer depends on individual expertise alone. There is a system in place that ensures software quality remains consistent across teams and projects.
Key Advancements
Traceability is established, ensuring all requirements are linked, tracked, and verified.
Testing shifts from reactive to proactive, with automated defect tracking and validation.
Configuration and change management become structured, reducing the risks of uncontrolled software evolution.
This transition requires more than new tools. It involves a cultural shift. Engineers used to flexible, rapid development may resist what they see as additional bureaucracy. When approached correctly, though, structured processes lead to faster, not slower, development by reducing rework and late-stage fixes.
Example
A Tier 1 supplier developing software for an ASIL-D powertrain system may work at this level. Traceability ensures that every safety requirement is linked to software components, making regulatory audits smoother and reducing the risk of late-stage failures.
ASPICE Level 3 – Established
At this stage, software development follows standardized processes across all projects. Organizations operating at this level have structured methods for process optimization, risk-based decision-making, and continuous improvement.
What Changes at Level 3?
Automation extends across the development cycle, reducing manual intervention.
Predictive analytics identify risks earlier, improving software stability.
Standardized workflows ensure consistency, regardless of project scope or complexity.
Example
An OEM working on next-generation ADAS software applies Level 3 processes to ensure that software functions consistently across multiple vehicle platforms. Standardization minimizes integration risks, even when working with multiple suppliers.
ASPICE and ISO 26262: Understanding the Differences
A common misconception in the industry is assuming that ASPICE guarantees compliance with functional safety requirements like ISO 26262. While the two standards complement each other, they serve different purposes.
| ASPICE | ISO 26262 |
| – Focuses on software process maturity – Ensures repeatability and structured development – Improves efficiency and traceability | – Focuses on functional safety – Ensures safe operation of systems – Required for ASIL-classified systems |
Reality Check
A company can achieve ASIL D compliance while still operating at ASPICE Level 1, provided safety processes are well-defined. Conversely, reaching ASPICE Level 3 does not automatically mean functional safety is achieved.
Bylogix Journey to ASPICE Level 2
In early 2023, our engineering team embarked on an ambitious journey that would transform how we approach automotive technology development. We achieved ASPICE CL2 certification for a sophisticated rear lamp system project—one that incorporated both Functional Safety and Cybersecurity requirements, representing the cutting edge of automotive lighting technology.
The Challenge of Complexity
The path to certification wasn’t straightforward. We faced a perfect storm of complexity, multiple advanced disciplines converging in a single project:
When we started, it felt like we were building a ship while sailing it. We had to integrate safety-critical functions with cybersecurity protocols in an environment where the slightest failure could have serious consequences.
The absence of a comprehensive toolchain meant our team had to pioneer new approaches. Every process, every document template, every verification method had to be created, tested, and refined—often through trial and error. This infrastructure development consumed almost as much energy as the technical work itself.
Breaking Through Barriers
Despite these challenges, our team persevered. The breakthrough came when we realized that the complexity itself offered an opportunity: by solving these problems now, we could create a foundation for all future projects.
We stopped seeing the process requirements as bureaucratic hurdles and started viewing them as a framework for excellence. Once that mindset shift happened, everything began falling into place.
The Digital Transformation
The investment paid off beyond our expectations. After the initial certification, subsequent projects benefited tremendously from our newly established processes:
- Development cycles shortened by xx%
- Documentation consistency improved dramatically
- Onboarding time for new team members decreased by xx%
- Error rates in requirements tracking fell to near zero?
Perhaps most importantly, we created standardized templates for project artifacts that ensured consistency across different teams and technologies. This standardization transformed our approach to development, making complex projects manageable and scalable.
Continuous Improvement Philosophy
Our journey didn’t end with certification. We recognized that our process infrastructure still needed refinement—particularly to make it more adaptable to diverse project types, from simple lighting systems to complex integrated components.
This ongoing evolution reflects our commitment to agile improvement. Each new project builds upon our foundation, making incremental enhancements to both our processes and our technological capabilities.
Looking Forward
The real innovation wasn’t just in technology. It was in how we approached complexity itself—breaking it down, standardizing it, and making it repeatable. That’s the kind of innovation that drives sustainable growth.
Today, when we look at where we started and where we are, the transformation is remarkable. What began as a challenging certification process has evolved into a cornerstone of our competitive advantage.
Our story demonstrates that true digital transformation isn’t just about adopting new technologies, it’s about evolving how we work with them, creating systems that turn complexity into clarity and challenges into opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Moving from ASPICE Level 1 to Level 2 introduces structured processes, enabling better traceability and defect prevention. Reaching Level 3 and beyond takes software development further, ensuring standardization, automation, and scalability.
For companies in the automotive industry, ASPICE provides a way to make software engineering more efficient, more reliable, and better aligned with the increasing complexity of modern vehicles. Those who integrate it effectively will not only meet industry expectations but also set the standard for future software development.
What is your experience with ASPICE? How do you see process maturity evolving in automotive software development? Let’s continue the conversation.
