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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

Workspaces

Software Project Planning Office

Occupations

Project Manager
Software Development Lead
Quality Assurance Manager
Certification Specialist
Software Process Engineer

Software Planning Process Audit Questions

(0 / 4)

1
Does the software lifecycle adhere to the DO-178C standards?

Select the compliance status.

To ensure that the software lifecycle is compliant with industry regulations.
2
What is the estimated development time for the software?

Enter the estimated development time in hours.

To evaluate whether the project timeline aligns with DO-178C guidelines.
Min: 0
Target: 100
Max: 1000
3
What risk mitigation strategies have been implemented?

Provide a brief description of risk mitigation strategies.

To assess the effectiveness of the risk management process in the software planning phase.
4
Is there a documented software development plan that complies with DO-178C?

Select compliance status.

To ensure that the organization has a structured approach to software development that meets regulatory standards.
5
What is the allocated budget for the software development project?

Enter the budget allocation amount.

To ensure that financial resources are appropriately allocated for the project.
Min: 0
Target: 500000
Max: 1000000
6
When was the software development plan last reviewed?

Enter the date of the last review.

To verify that the software development plan is regularly reviewed and updated.
7
Describe the change management process in place for the software project.

Provide a detailed description of the change management process.

To assess how changes to the software project are managed and controlled.
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8
Are key stakeholders involved in the software planning process?

Indicate whether key stakeholders are involved.

To ensure that all relevant parties are contributing to the planning and decision-making process.
9
When was the last risk review performed for the software project?

Enter the date of the last risk review.

To ensure that the risk management process is regularly updated and reviewed.
10
What is the estimated impact score for the highest identified risk?

Enter the impact score (1-10) for the highest identified risk.

To quantify the potential impact of risks on the software project's success.
Min: 1
Target: 10
Max: 10
11
What are the top three identified risks for the software project?

List the top three identified risks.

To gain insight into the awareness and management of project risks.
12
How frequently are risk assessments conducted during the software planning process?

Select the frequency of risk assessments.

To determine if the organization is proactively managing risks associated with the software project.
13
What is the defect rate observed in the past software projects?

Enter the defect rate as a percentage.

To analyze the historical quality metrics and set benchmarks for the current project.
Min: 0
Target: 5
Max: 100
14
Provide details on any lessons learned from previous projects that were applied to this planning process.

Describe the lessons learned from previous projects.

To evaluate the incorporation of past experiences to improve the current project's planning.
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15
Is a peer review process implemented for the planning documentation?

Indicate whether peer review is implemented.

To ensure that the planning documentation is reviewed and validated by peers for quality assurance.
16
Is there a defined quality assurance process in place for the software planning?

Select whether a quality assurance process is defined.

To assess whether the project has a systematic approach to ensure quality throughout the software lifecycle.
17
When was the resource allocation for the project last reviewed?

Enter the date of the last resource allocation review.

To verify that resource allocation is regularly assessed and adjusted as needed.
18
What training needs have been identified for the project team?

List any identified training needs.

To ensure that team members have the necessary skills and knowledge to execute the project effectively.
19
What is the size of the project development team?

Enter the number of team members.

To determine if the team size is sufficient for the scope of the software project.
Min: 1
Target: 5
Max: 50
20
Are the necessary resources (human, technical, financial) available for the software project?

Select the resource availability status.

To ensure that the project has adequate resources to meet its objectives and timelines.

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

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