The abbreviation SPICE stands for Software Process Improvement and Capability Determination.
Each Automotive SPICE process part is assessed separately and assigned its maturity level.
is the cooperation partner of the VDA, which has developed a scheme of the same name for the training of assessors (examiners).
The scheme fulfills the qualification requirements of the Manufacturer Initiative Software (HIS)[3][4] (see also AUTOSAR and ISO 26262) and those from ISO/IEC 15504-2.
and VDA to jointly ensure the training and certification of Automotive SPICE assessors at a high-quality standard and further develop the scheme.
Automotive SPICE was developed in 2001 by AUTOSIG (Automotive Special Interest Group), which includes the German car manufacturers Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche, and Volkswagen, as well as international car manufacturers and interest groups such as Fiat, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, the SPICE User Group, and the Procurement Forum.
As of January 1, 2007, only Automotive SPICE assessments were accepted by the members of HIS in the context of joint project work with suppliers.
The current (as of 2023) valid edition is Automotive SPICE 4.0, published by VDA and QMC in December 2023.