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IEC 61508 Software Development Lifecycle Audit Checklist

A detailed checklist for auditing the software development lifecycle in accordance with IEC 61508, focusing on safety-critical software used in the energy and utilities sector.

IEC 61508 Software Development Lifecycle Audit Checklist

by: audit-now
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About This Checklist

The IEC 61508 Software Development Lifecycle Audit Checklist is a crucial tool for ensuring the safety and reliability of software used in safety-critical systems within the energy and utilities sector. This comprehensive checklist addresses the specific requirements outlined in IEC 61508 for software development, verification, and validation processes. By meticulously evaluating each phase of the software lifecycle, from requirements specification to maintenance, this checklist helps organizations identify potential vulnerabilities, ensure code quality, and maintain the integrity of safety-related software systems. Implementing this checklist not only enhances software reliability but also demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance and operational excellence in high-risk environments.

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Industry

Energy and Utilities

Standard

IEC 61508 - Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic Systems

Workspaces

control system laboratories
testing facilities
Software Development Offices

Occupations

Software Developer
Safety Engineer
Quality Assurance Specialist
Software Tester
Systems Integrator
1
Is the software verification process compliant with IEC 61508 standards?
2
What is the code quality score based on the last review?
Min: 1
Target: 4
Max: 5
3
Is the Safety Integrity Level (SIL) documentation available and up to date?
4
How would you rate the reliability of the software?
5
When was the last safety assessment conducted on the software?
6
List any identified safety issues during the software development lifecycle.
7
Describe the safety verification procedures implemented in the project.
8
What is the defect density of the software (defects per KLOC)?
Min: 0
Target: 5
Max: 100
9
What is the status of the latest code review?
10
What is the percentage of test coverage achieved?
Min: 0
Target: 80
Max: 100
11
Is the software compliant with established coding standards?
12
Provide a summary of the risk assessment conducted on the software.
13
Is there traceability for all safety requirements throughout the software lifecycle?
14
What is the average time taken to resolve defects (in days)?
Min: 0
Target: 10
Max: 365
15
When was the software last updated?
16
Describe the training and awareness programs implemented for safety-critical software.
17
Are regular safety audits conducted on the software development process?
18
List any non-conformance issues identified during the last audit.
19
How many safety incidents have been reported in the past year?
Min: 0
Target: 2
Max: 100
20
What methodology is used for software development?

FAQs

This checklist covers all phases of the software development lifecycle, including requirements specification, design, implementation, integration, verification, validation, and modification.

It provides a systematic approach to verify that safety requirements are properly implemented, tested, and maintained throughout the software development process, reducing the risk of software-related safety failures.

This checklist should be used by software developers, quality assurance teams, safety engineers, and auditors involved in the development and assessment of safety-critical software in the energy and utilities sector.

Key elements include software safety requirements specification, architectural design, module design and coding, software integration testing, software safety validation, and modification procedures.

Audits should be conducted at key milestones throughout the software development lifecycle, with a comprehensive audit performed at least annually or after significant changes to the software or development process.

Benefits of IEC 61508 Software Development Lifecycle Audit Checklist

Ensures compliance with IEC 61508 software requirements

Improves software quality and reliability in safety-critical systems

Reduces the risk of software-related safety incidents

Facilitates traceability throughout the software development lifecycle

Supports continuous improvement in software safety processes