ISO/IEC 15288 Standard: Lifecycle Processes in Systems and Software Engineering - ISO/IEC 15288 is a standard that pertains to lifecycle processes within the realms of systems and software engineering.

It establishes a common framework that provides a closer description of the lifecycle of systems created by humans, defining a set of processes and accompanying terminology.

 

Additionally, the standard offers processes that support the definition, control, and improvement of lifecycle processes within an organization or project.

This standard addresses systems created by humans, which can be classified into one or more of the following groups: hardware, software, documentation, personnel, processes (e.g., processes providing service to users), procedures (e.g., operating instructions), facilities, materials, and naturally occurring entities.

ISO/IEC 15288 is under the jurisdiction of ISO/IEC JTC1/SC7 – the ISO committee responsible for developing ISO standards in the field of systems and software engineering. It is part of the SC7 Integrated set of standards, which encompasses the following standards:

• ISO/IEC TR 15504, pertaining to capability,
• ISO/IEC 12207 and ISO/IEC 15288, addressing lifecycle (software and system respectively),
• ISO 9001 and ISO 9000-3, focusing on quality.

Overview of ISO/IEC 15288:

ISO/IEC 15288 describes a reference model in which each process is outlined in terms of its purpose domain, expected output, and activities encompassed by it. The standard outlines a total of 25 processes collectively describing 131 outcomes and involving 80 activities, which can be categorized into four primary groups:

1. Agreement processes: procurement process, supply process,
2. Organizational project-enabling processes: lifecycle model management process, infrastructure management process, project portfolio management process, human resource management process, quality management process,
3. Project processes: project planning process, process assessment and control process, decision management process, risk management process, configuration management process, information management process, measurement process,
4. Technical processes: stakeholder requirements definition process, requirements analysis process, architecture design process, implementation process, integration process, verification process, transition process, validation process, operation process, maintenance process, disposal process.

Although the standard deals with processes within the lifecycle of a system, it does not recommend a specific lifecycle model itself, but rather presents processes that define, approve, and manage the lifecycle model. This is further elaborated in section 6.2.1 of the standard, while other processes are subsequently embedded within the chosen lifecycle model.

Relationship with Other Standards:

Inextricably linked with ISO/IEC 15288 is ISO/IEC 12207, which describes software lifecycle processes and resides within the same group of standards. These standards are harmonized to be jointly applied within an organization or project, necessitating that any revision of one of these standards reflects onto the other.

ISO/IEC 15288 and ISO/IEC 12207, within the SC7 set of standards, complement each other with other standards in the group (ISO 9001, ISO 9000-3, ISO/IEC TR 15504), with ISO/IEC 15288 defining best practices for system development within this group.

Additionally, as no specific lifecycle model is defined, the standard is related to ISO/IEC TR 24748-1 (Systems and Software Engineering – Lifecycle Management – Part 1: Guide for Lifecycle Management), which provides information regarding system lifecycle concepts applicable within the standard, as well as guidance for creating a unified lifecycle, depending on organizational specific requirements.

Benefits for Organizations from ISO/IEC 15288:

The application of the standard within an organization brings numerous benefits, primarily defining processes whose implementation is in the interest of both the organization and the systems or software engineers in producing quality outputs. The standard provides:

• A lifecycle framework for conducting software or system activities in an organized, disciplined manner,
• A framework for meeting user requirements,
• A process framework adaptable to any organization,
• A framework that reduces risks,
• A solid foundation for better communication and work coordination within the organization.

For more details, you can visit the official ISO page on ISO/IEC 15288.