As two trends—EV impact and embedded software—became a regular topic of discussion in the AIAG Quality Steering Committee (QSC), it was clear that various software (SW) approval processes were materializing with variation across the spectrum. If this continued, the industry would end up with dozens of SW approval processes to manage costing time and money. The question arose…we have a wildly successful production part approval process (PPAP) in the industry; why don’t we have that for software? A work group of some of the brightest minds was formed to address the need.

The AIAG work group participants included volunteers from member OEMs and tier suppliers including Aptiv, Bosch, Continental, Dana, Denso, Eaton, Ford, Forvia, GM, KA Group, and Paccar. Their focus was to deliver an industry guidance manual in the form of a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) document that details processes and methodologies for Quality Assurance Software development. This would include the process of approval of the software, either as a standalone product or as an element of the overall part approval. In addition, they would provide guidance on the preferred industry methods of software development assessment.

We are excited to announce the resulting CQI-34 Software Assurance Approval Process (SAAP)—sister to the PPAP—will be publicly available on January 2, 2025. If you would like to receive an email when it is available, please complete this form. Watch for it when you return from a wonderful holiday break!