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DO-178C Software Planning Process Audit Checklist

A comprehensive checklist for auditing software planning processes in accordance with DO-178C guidelines for aerospace and defense software development projects.

DO-178C Software Planning Process Audit Checklist

by: audit-now
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About This Checklist

The DO-178C Software Planning Process Audit Checklist is an essential tool for ensuring robust and compliant software development planning in the aerospace and defense industry. This comprehensive checklist addresses the critical aspects of software planning as outlined in the DO-178C guidelines, helping organizations to establish a solid foundation for their avionics software projects. By systematically evaluating the planning process, from project initiation to resource allocation and schedule definition, this checklist enables auditors and project managers to identify potential risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and set the stage for successful software development. Proper planning is crucial for maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency in avionics software development, ultimately contributing to enhanced aviation safety and streamlined certification processes.

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Industry

Aerospace and Defense

Standard

DO-178C - Software Considerations in Airborne Systems

Workspaces

Office Buildings

Occupations

Project Manager
Software Development Lead
Quality Assurance Manager
Certification Specialist
Software Process Engineer
1
Is there a documented software development plan that complies with DO-178C?
2
What risk mitigation strategies have been implemented?
3
What is the estimated development time for the software?
Min: 0
Target: 100
Max: 1000
4
Does the software lifecycle adhere to the DO-178C standards?
5
Are key stakeholders involved in the software planning process?
6
Describe the change management process in place for the software project.
7
When was the software development plan last reviewed?
8
What is the allocated budget for the software development project?
Min: 0
Target: 500000
Max: 1000000
9
How frequently are risk assessments conducted during the software planning process?
10
What are the top three identified risks for the software project?
11
What is the estimated impact score for the highest identified risk?
Min: 1
Target: 10
Max: 10
12
When was the last risk review performed for the software project?
13
Is there a defined quality assurance process in place for the software planning?
14
Is a peer review process implemented for the planning documentation?
15
Provide details on any lessons learned from previous projects that were applied to this planning process.
16
What is the defect rate observed in the past software projects?
Min: 0
Target: 5
Max: 100
17
Are the necessary resources (human, technical, financial) available for the software project?
18
What is the size of the project development team?
Min: 1
Target: 5
Max: 50
19
What training needs have been identified for the project team?
20
When was the resource allocation for the project last reviewed?

FAQs

The primary objective is to ensure that software planning practices in aerospace and defense applications comply with DO-178C guidelines, establishing a solid foundation for the entire software development lifecycle and facilitating regulatory compliance.

Proper software planning helps identify potential risks early, ensures adequate allocation of resources for safety-critical tasks, and establishes clear processes for quality assurance and verification, all of which contribute to the overall safety and reliability of avionics systems.

The checklist covers areas such as project scope definition, software development standards, development environment planning, verification and validation planning, configuration management planning, and certification liaison process planning.

The audit should involve project managers, software development leads, quality assurance managers, certification specialists, and key stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the planning process.

The planning process audit should be conducted at the initial stages of the project, typically after the Plan for Software Aspects of Certification (PSAC) is drafted but before significant development work begins. It may also be revisited during major project milestones or when significant changes occur.

Benefits of DO-178C Software Planning Process Audit Checklist

Ensures alignment with DO-178C software planning requirements

Facilitates early identification and mitigation of project risks

Enhances project organization and resource allocation efficiency

Supports smoother certification processes through comprehensive planning documentation

Improves overall software development lifecycle management