The Crucial Role of Project Management in Automotive Quality Assurance is recognised today by many companies that want to fight for a leadership position in the field of software development for the automotive industry. As vehicles become more connected, cybersecurity is a growing concern, and that is why project managers need to incorporate strong cybersecurity measures into the development process to protect vehicles from potential threats.
To act in the best interest of all stakeholders, project managers must have a holistic understanding of projects and processes in automotive engineering, which is provided in NIT Academy’s course by Dr Dragana Đorđević Čegar through many years of experience working on significant projects.
In the light of the unique position of project manager, not only are they responsible for overseeing project management aspects, but they must also possess a deep understanding of automotive software quality standards. The fusion of project management and quality management skills is crucial for navigating the complex area of safety-critical software.
Quality control through the use of standards and assessment models
Understanding the complete perspective of non-functional requirements in the automotive software industry is crucial. This specificity demands a deep understanding of planning milestones, a critical aspect in the automotive sector due to strict timelines, such as those for winter car tests for example. A proficient project manager should be well-versed in incorporating industry standards, safety considerations, and quality-related aspects.
“Without such expertise, adhering to timelines becomes challenging. This underscores the importance of project managers having a thorough understanding of automotive software quality standards“ - explained Dr Čegar.
What are the main principles and components of a Quality Management System (QMS) according to ISO 9001, and how can they be applied in an organisation?
The narrative around quality, whether focused on ISO 9001 or any associated standard, revolves around initiating an improvement cycle. This cycle begins with a critical examination, typically during a management review, where the commitment of leadership to establish a comprehensive system is a priority.
Once this commitment is evident, an accelerated improvement loop, often referred to as the PDCA cycle or any analogous corrective action cycle, can be initiated.
The foundational concept is to leverage existing resources, identify systemic issues through careful observation, coordinate corrective measures in a timely manner, and iterate through the process.
In the context of the automotive industry, the Quality Management System has deep significance. Specifically, the core of operational engineering quality is closely intertwined with the Quality Management System (QMS). In this domain, there are additional standards, such as automotive SPICE and ISO 26262, for functional safety, cybersecurity, and others, which demand monitoring and iterative improvement approaches.
The PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle plays a crucial role in elevating the standards of quality management. It begins with understanding customer requirements and meticulously decomposing them into software or system requirements. Each phase demands strategic investments – from conceptualising the design and software architecture to coding and unit testing. These steps require careful examination, not only from a technical perspective but also under the watchful eye of a quality assurance engineer.
“Quality principles, quality control, quality insurance, quality management, and quality engineering are related to detecting the problem at the beginning or as soon as possible so that you don’t have a problem on hand. You should be able to really easily observe these metrics in the code, in the traceability and safety, and you can then easily point out the problems. Immediately, you can start working on a solution - if not, when the release comes, it's already late. The idea is that you really, from the beginning, control the whole process and ensure that there is no gap in the whole system.” - said Dragana.
NIT Academy Course: How are projects and processes in automotive engineering impacting safety?
Upon completing the course Automotive Quality and Project Management, candidates gain plenty of practical knowledge and tools that can be applied to enhance their work processes right away. The course offers numerous examples drawn from real projects, providing tangible insights that participants can immediately incorporate into their assessments and projects.
They are equipped with a diverse array of tools tailored to the complexities of the automotive industry.
This course is not limited to project and quality managers; it is also invaluable for developers and test engineers seeking a comprehensive understanding of automotive development. Developers, often involved in their specific roles, benefit from gaining a broader perspective that aids in customer assessments. Test engineers, on the other hand, appreciate the holistic view of the system, bridging gaps between development and testing processes. Positive feedback from participants underscores the course's effectiveness in illuminating the interconnected aspects of development, testing, and beyond.
Dragana pointed out: “Even really experienced project managers who are coming to the course, or quality managers who are not in the field, are realizing how big the topic is and how it’s applicable during their education in other industries. Therefore, everyone who is part of the course can use what I’m teaching, especially because it's not easy to find good tools and to learn how to correct themselves immediately.”
As trends in this industry rapidly evolve, such as the integration of digital technologies, IoT (Internet of Things), and data analytics in automotive manufacturing processes, along with the implementation of smart sensors and devices for real-time quality monitoring and the incorporation of AI and Machine Learning in Quality Assurance, Dr. Čegar highlighted the importance of staying informed and always keeping the bigger picture of the project in mind.
The adoption of agile project management methodologies is increasing. It allows for more flexibility and adaptability in the development process, which is crucial in the fast-paced automotive industry. Given the complexity of automotive projects, effective risk management is becoming more critical. With that being said, companies should really focus on the development of employees who are responsible for leading such important projects and give them tools to monitor the key processes.
