The Traditional V-Model in Automotive Development
Last updated
Last updated
The V-Model has long been the standard framework for automotive development, guiding the design, verification, and validation of vehicle systems. It emphasizes a sequential yet interconnected process, where each design phase is complemented by a corresponding testing and validation phase.
The diagram above illustrates an extended version of the V-Model, which integrates not only software development but also electrical/electronic (E/E) systems and mechanical system development, creating a unified view of modern automotive engineering.
On the left side of the V, we see the design phases:
Strategy, ideation, and concept: This is where the initial vision, strategy, and high-level requirements for the vehicle or system are defined.
Overall system design: The system architecture is created, detailing the functional and technical specifications.
Vehicle properties and features: Key vehicle features, such as performance, safety, and comfort, are defined.
Sub-system design: Specific subsystems, such as powertrain, braking, or infotainment systems, are developed with their hardware and software components.
Between the left-hand phases and the right-hand phases is Verification and Validation, connecting design to integration and testing phases on the right side of the V.
The right-hand phases include:
Sub-system integration and testing: Subsystems are combined and tested for functionality, performance, and compatibility.
Vehicle functional integration and testing: Integration of all vehicle systems to ensure they work together as intended.
Overall product integration and testing: Complete system validation, ensuring the final product meets all regulatory and performance requirements.
Production (SOP): Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) marks the start of production.
Usage and service: Post-production support, including maintenance and updates, ensures a successful lifecycle.
Additionally, the diagram highlights homologation for regulatory compliance and multi-supplier deliveries, reflecting the collaborative nature of automotive development. Supply chain and manufacturing planning are integrated early, ensuring alignment between design, testing, and production.
Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is a key supporting methodology within the V-Model. It replaces traditional document-driven development with model-driven processes, using system models to capture requirements, design, and verification details. In MBSE, a central model serves as a “single source of truth,” enabling better collaboration across teams, tools, and domains. This approach enhances traceability, reduces errors, and ensures consistency, particularly when dealing with the complexity of E/E systems and software-defined vehicles.
By employing MBSE, engineers can simulate, validate, and optimize designs early in the development process, supporting the "Shift Left" concept and reducing late-stage changes, which are costly and time-consuming.
Automotive SPICE (A-SPICE) is a process assessment model widely used in the automotive industry to evaluate and improve software and system development processes. It provides a structured framework for managing quality and ensuring compliance with stringent automotive standards. A-SPICE defines processes across the full development lifecycle, including requirements management, design, integration, and testing, making it an essential component of the V-Model.
OEMs and suppliers use A-SPICE to ensure their development processes meet high maturity and reliability levels, which are critical for delivering safety-critical systems like autonomous driving and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems).
The V-Model offers several advantages:
Clear structure and traceability: Each design phase has a corresponding test phase, ensuring alignment and early issue detection.
Strong focus on validation: The emphasis on verification and validation helps meet quality and regulatory requirements.
Systematic approach: It supports complex, multi-domain development across software, E/E, and mechanical systems.
However, the V-Model also has its limitations:
Rigidity: Its sequential nature makes it less adaptable to changes, particularly in agile and iterative development environments.
Late integration risks: Issues may only become visible during integration and testing phases, increasing costs for late-stage fixes.
Limited support for continuous improvement: The V-Model’s structure does not inherently support iterative and agile processes, which are becoming more important in the era of software-defined vehicles.
Limited support for Multi-Speed Development: The V-Model’s structure also does not foresee that different value streams are delivering results at different speeds.
To address these challenges, the V-Model is often combined with modern practices like MBSE, A-SPICE, and continuous integration to create a more flexible, digital-first development approach.
