DO-178C Guide: Introduction to RTCA DO-178 Certification
Table of Contents
Top DO-178C Certification & Compliance Support and Consultants
Introduction
When it comes to developing safety-critical software for the aerospace industry, adherence to rigorous standards is essential. One such standard is DO-178C, which provides guidelines for the certification and compliance of software used in airborne systems. Achieving DO-178C certification requires a thorough understanding of the standard’s objectives and a meticulous approach to the software development process. To navigate this complex landscape, many organizations turn to DO-178C certification and compliance support consultants. In this article, we will explore some of the top DO-178C certification and compliance support consultants that can help companies achieve successful certification.
Visure Solutions
About Visure Solutions
Visure Solutions offers comprehensive support and consultancy for DO-178C compliance through its advanced requirements management software, Visure Requirements. This state-of-the-art solution is specifically designed to streamline and standardize the development and verification processes of avionics software systems.
Services Offered by Visure Solutions
- Centralized Repository – Visure Requirements serves as a centralized repository for all DO-178C objectives, allowing organizations to manage and track various requirement-related information, including requirements, tests, change requests, risks, and more. It enables the creation, enforcement, and management of bi-directional traceability links, establishing comprehensive relationships between different artifacts. The software can automatically generate traceability matrices and reports, facilitating effective decision-making and ensuring the timely completion of objectives.
- End-to-End Traceability – Visure Requirements surpasses the capabilities of generic tools like Microsoft Office and Excel, offering advanced features tailored to DO-178C compliance. It keeps all stakeholders on the same page, ensuring that customers receive the desired deliverables. The software provides end-to-end traceability, linking requirements, verification activities, problem reports, checklists, and other project artifacts. By serving as a cohesive and centralized environment, it helps organizations standardize and enforce defined processes across the entire development lifecycle.
- Versatile Integration – Visure Requirements offers a versatile Integration Platform that can seamlessly integrate with third-party tools, including commercial or proprietary software. This integration extends the change impact analysis features beyond the scope of Visure Requirements, providing comprehensive support for DO-178C compliance.
- Requirements Management – The software also includes a range of powerful requirements management features such as filters, user-defined views, role-based user interfaces, graphically defined requirement processes and traceability, built-in workflows, unlimited user-defined attributes, version management, comparison, and roll-back to older versions.
LDRA
About LDRA
LDRA is a global provider of software testing, verification, and certification solutions for safety-critical industries, including aerospace and defense. With a strong focus on standards compliance, LDRA has established itself as a leading authority in the field of DO-178C certification and compliance support. Their comprehensive tools and consulting services have helped numerous organizations successfully navigate the complexities of DO-178C.
Services Offered by LDRA
- DO-178C Gap Analysis: LDRA conducts thorough gap analyses to assess an organization’s compliance with DO-178C standards. Their experts review existing software development processes, documentation, and artifacts to identify any gaps or non-compliance. Based on the analysis, LDRA provides detailed reports highlighting the areas that require improvement to achieve DO-178C compliance.
- Process Definition and Implementation: LDRA assists organizations in defining and implementing software development processes that align with DO-178C requirements. They provide guidance on requirements management, software design, coding standards, and verification and validation activities. By tailoring processes to meet DO-178C guidelines, LDRA helps organizations establish a robust framework for compliant software development.
- Verification and Validation Support: LDRA offers extensive support for the verification and validation activities required by DO-178C. Their tools and expertise enable efficient testing and verification of safety-critical software. LDRA assists organizations in developing test plans, creating test cases, executing tests, and documenting the results. This ensures that software verification is conducted effectively and in compliance with DO-178C requirements.
- Certification Planning and Support: LDRA helps organizations develop certification plans tailored to their specific software projects. They provide guidance on the documentation required for certification, including plans, procedures, and traceability matrices. LDRA also offers support during certification audits, assisting organizations in addressing any non-compliances identified during the process.
- Training and Workshops: LDRA conducts training programs and workshops to enhance organizations’ understanding of DO-178C and its implementation. These sessions cover various aspects of DO-178C compliance, including the standard’s objectives, requirements, and best practices. LDRA’s experts provide practical insights and real-world examples, equipping organizations with the knowledge and skills to effectively achieve DO-178C certification.
ConsuNova, Inc.
About ConsuNova:
ConsuNova is a well-established aerospace consulting firm that specializes in providing support and consultancy services for DO-178C compliance. They have extensive experience and expertise in avionics software certification and work with organizations in the aerospace industry to help them achieve compliance with the DO-178C standard.Services Offered by ConsuNova
- Training Programs: ConsuNova offers a variety of training programs designed to educate professionals on the intricacies of DO-178C compliance. Their training courses cover different roles and experience levels, ranging from introductory courses to advanced topics. These programs help individuals and teams understand the requirements of the standard, the software development processes, and the necessary documentation and artifacts.
- Compliance and Certification Consulting: ConsuNova provides consulting services to assist organizations in achieving DO-178C compliance. They offer support throughout the certification process, from gap analysis to identifying areas that need improvement. Their consultants work closely with clients to develop tailored compliance strategies, define processes and plans, and establish the documentation and artifacts required for certification.
- Process Improvement: ConsuNova helps organizations optimize their software development processes to align with DO-178C requirements. They conduct process assessments, identify areas of improvement, and recommend process changes to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance. This includes ensuring proper requirements management, traceability, software design, coding practices, verification, and configuration management.
- Tool Qualification: ConsuNova assists organizations in qualifying the software development tools used in their DO-178C projects. They provide guidance on selecting appropriate tools and establishing the necessary qualification processes. This ensures that the tools used for software development, testing, and verification are suitable for the intended purpose and comply with the regulatory requirements.
- Certification Support: ConsuNova supports organizations throughout the certification process by helping them prepare for certification audits, providing guidance on addressing findings and observations, and assisting with the overall certification strategy. Their consultants have extensive knowledge of the certification requirements and can provide valuable insights to ensure a smooth certification process.
AFuzion
About AFuzion
AFuzion is a renowned global provider of aviation safety certification services, including DO-178C compliance support. With a team of experienced consultants who possess deep knowledge and expertise in safety-critical systems, AFuzion has established itself as a trusted authority in the field. Their comprehensive services and solutions have helped numerous organizations successfully navigate the complexities of DO-178C certification.
Services Offered by AFuzion
- DO-178C Training and Workshops: AFuzion offers training programs and workshops to enhance organizations’ understanding of DO-178C and its implementation. These sessions cover various aspects of DO-178C compliance, including the standard’s objectives, requirements, and best practices. AFuzion’s experts provide practical insights and real-world examples, equipping organizations with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful DO-178C implementation.
- Gap Analysis and Process Improvement: AFuzion conducts comprehensive gap analyses to assess an organization’s compliance with DO-178C standards. Their experts review existing software development processes, documentation, and artifacts to identify any gaps or non-compliance. Based on the analysis, AFuzion provides detailed reports and recommendations for process improvement to achieve DO-178C compliance.
- Certification Planning and Support: AFuzion assists organizations in developing tailored certification plans aligned with DO-178C requirements. They provide guidance on the documentation required for certification, including plans, procedures, and traceability matrices. AFuzion also offers support during certification audits, helping organizations address any non-compliances identified during the process.
- Process Definition and Implementation: AFuzion helps organizations define and implement software development processes that align with DO-178C guidelines. They provide guidance on requirements management, software design, coding standards, verification and validation activities, and configuration management. AFuzion’s expertise ensures that organizations establish robust and compliant software development processes.
- Verification and Validation Support: AFuzion offers comprehensive support for the verification and validation activities required by DO-178C. Their consultants assist organizations in developing test plans, creating test cases, executing tests, and documenting the results. This ensures effective and compliant software verification, a critical aspect of DO-178C certification.
Atego
About Atego
Atego is a global company that specializes in delivering software development solutions for safety-critical and mission-critical systems. With a comprehensive suite of tools and a deep understanding of industry standards, Atego provides organizations with the necessary support to meet the challenges of DO-178C compliance. Their expertise in the aerospace industry positions them as a trusted DO-178C certification and compliance support consultant.
Services Offered by Atego
- Requirements Management: Atego offers a robust requirements management solution that aligns with DO-178C objectives. Effective requirements management is a critical aspect of DO-178C compliance, ensuring that all software requirements are properly captured, analyzed, and traced throughout the development process. Atego’s requirements management solution provides traceability, impact analysis, and change management capabilities, facilitating compliance and streamlined certification efforts.
- Process Definition and Implementation: Atego assists organizations in defining and implementing software development processes that adhere to DO-178C guidelines. They provide guidance on requirements management, software design, coding standards, verification and validation, and configuration management. Atego’s expertise helps organizations establish a robust framework for compliant software development, aligning with DO-178C requirements.
- Model-Based Development: Atego supports model-based development approaches, enabling organizations to develop and verify safety-critical software using modeling languages such as SysML and UML. Their tools and expertise facilitate the creation of executable models, automatic code generation, and verification activities, enhancing efficiency and compliance with DO-178C.
- Verification and Validation Support: Atego provides comprehensive support for the verification and validation activities required by DO-178C. Their tools and solutions facilitate efficient testing, static analysis, and code coverage analysis, ensuring that software verification is conducted effectively and in compliance with DO-178C requirements. Atego’s expertise in verification and validation helps organizations achieve the necessary level of rigor for certification.
- Certification Artifact Management: Atego’s solutions enable efficient management of certification artifacts required for DO-178C compliance. They offer a centralized repository for storing and managing all certification-related documentation, including plans, procedures, and traceability matrices. This streamlines the certification process, enhances documentation traceability, and simplifies audits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, achieving DO-178C certification and compliance is a critical requirement for organizations involved in safety-critical software development, particularly in industries such as aerospace and defense. The top DO-178C certification and compliance support consultants, including Visure Solutions, LDRA, AFuzion, and Atego, offer a range of services and expertise to guide organizations through the complexities of DO-178C. These consultants provide tailored solutions such as gap analysis, process definition and implementation, verification and validation support, certification planning, and training. Their deep knowledge of DO-178C standards, proven track records, and comprehensive tool suites make them reliable partners in ensuring successful compliance and certification. By engaging the services of these top consultants, organizations can navigate the DO-178C certification process with confidence and achieve the highest levels of safety and quality in their software development projects.
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Chapters
1. Airborne Standard Introduction
2. DO-178 Certification Process
3. DO-178C Tools & Trainings
4. Advanced DO-178C Topics
5. DO-178C Resources
6. Glossary
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