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PD ISO IEC TR 24748 — Systems and Software Engineering Life Cycle Management Technical Reports
Systems and Software Engineering — Life Cycle Management (ISO/IEC TR 24748-1/2/3, BSI UK implementation)
🔄 PD ISO IEC TR 24748 is the UK implementation, published by BSI, of the ISO/IEC TR 24748 series of technical reports, prepared by UK Technical Committee IST/15 (Software and systems engineering) and focused on life cycle management for systems and software engineering. The three parts in this batch are: Part 1, a guide for life cycle management; Part 2, a guide to the application of ISO/IEC 15288 (system life cycle processes); and Part 3, a guide to the application of ISO/IEC 12207 (software life cycle processes). Together they form a complete guideline framework from “life cycle management overview” to “system process application” and “software process application”, and are an important reference for systems and software engineering practitioners implementing life cycle processes.
💡 Modern complex systems commonly use a “system of systems” architecture, with hardware, software, and human factors deeply integrated. Life cycle management helps organisations systematically plan, execute, and improve the whole product process — from concept to retirement — through well-defined stages, processes, and review points.
1. Series Overview 📌
ISO/IEC 15288 and ISO/IEC 12207 are two foundational process standards in systems and software engineering: the former defines system life cycle processes (agreement, organisational, technical management, system requirements, design, implementation, verification, validation, operation, maintenance, etc.), and the latter defines software life cycle processes. The ISO/IEC TR 24748 series provides application guides to help organisations implement, tailor, and improve these processes. BSI adopts them as “PD ISO/IEC TR 24748-xxx”.
In this batch, Part 1 explains life cycle management at an overall level (concepts, stages, process mapping), Part 2 gives an application guide for the system process standard 15288, and Part 3 gives an application guide for the software process standard 12207.
2. Series Structure and Part Highlights 📋
| Part | Document Title | ISO/IEC Edition | Core Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Guide for life cycle management | ISO/IEC TR 24748-1:2010 (Ed. 1.0) | Life cycle concepts, stages and processes, life cycle management essentials and application |
| Part 2 | Guide to the application of ISO/IEC 15288 (System life cycle processes) | ISO/IEC TR 24748-2:2011 (Ed. 1.0) | Structure and context of 15288, application concepts, process application, and organisational application |
| Part 3 | Guide to the application of ISO/IEC 12207 (Software life cycle processes) | ISO/IEC TR 24748-3:2011 (Ed. 1.0) | Structure and context of 12207, software life cycle process application, and organisation and project management |
All three parts are classified under ICS 35.080 (Software) and handled by the same UK technical committee IST/15. Parts 2 and 3 supersede the earlier withdrawn PD ISO/IEC TR 19760:2003 and BS ISO/IEC TR 15271:1998 respectively, providing authoritative application guides for the current 15288/12207 editions.
⚠️ This series comprises technical reports (TR) providing application guidance rather than mandatory requirements. When implementing life cycle processes, tailor (tailoring) the processes appropriately according to organisation size, project type, and regulatory requirements.
3. Key Technical Requirements 🔧
1. Life Cycle Management Guide (Part 1)
Part 1 systematically explains the basic concepts and methods of life cycle management, mainly including:
- Life cycle concepts: the stages of a system/software life cycle (concept, development, production, utilisation, support, retirement) and their purposes;
- Stages and processes: the relationship between stages and processes, and how processes are implemented across the life cycle;
- Management essentials: organisation, planning, monitoring, and review of life cycle management;
- Application: recommendations for applying life cycle management to projects of different size and type.
2. ISO/IEC 15288 Application Guide (Part 2)
Part 2 addresses systems engineers and project managers, giving an application guide for 15288:
- 15288 overview: the structure, context, and comparison to the prior version of 15288:2008;
- Application concepts: how to apply system life cycle processes according to project characteristics;
- Process application: application guidance for technical, management, and agreement processes;
- Organisational application: how organisations institutionalise and continuously improve these processes.
3. ISO/IEC 12207 Application Guide (Part 3)
Part 3 addresses software engineers and software process improvement practitioners, giving an application guide for 12207:
- 12207 overview: the structure, context, and comparison to historical versions of 12207:2008;
- Application concepts: how to organise and apply software life cycle processes;
- Process application: guidance for software acquisition, supply, development, operation, maintenance, and support processes;
- Integration with engineering and project management: how software processes connect with system processes and project management activities.
🚨 The core risk in life cycle management is “process–project disconnect”: if process documentation is well written but not truly executed, monitored, and reviewed in projects, it is only paperwork. Establish a clear link and metrics between process application and actual delivery.
4. Engineering Practice Applications 🛠️
- 📋 Process system building: use Part 1 to establish an organisation-level life cycle management framework, define stage gates and review requirements, supporting management of the whole product process from concept to retirement.
- 🚀 Engineering project implementation: in systems engineering projects, apply the 15288 processes per Part 2, systematising requirements, design, implementation, verification, and validation activities.
- 💻 Software process improvement: in software projects and organisational process improvement (e.g., combined with CMMI, ASPICE), apply the 12207 processes per Part 3 to standardise software acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance.
- ✂️ Process tailoring: tailor processes according to project size and risk, improving efficiency while maintaining necessary control and avoiding over-process.
5. Frequently Asked Questions ❓
❓ Q: What is the difference between ISO/IEC 15288 and 12207?
A: 15288 defines system (including hardware, software, human factors) life cycle processes; 12207 separately defines software life cycle processes. In practice the two are often combined, with software managed as part of the system.
A: 15288 defines system (including hardware, software, human factors) life cycle processes; 12207 separately defines software life cycle processes. In practice the two are often combined, with software managed as part of the system.
❓ Q: Does life cycle management matter for small projects?
A: Yes, but with tailoring. Small projects can simplify stage gates and documentation while retaining key processes (requirements, design, verification) and control points, avoiding “over-process”.
A: Yes, but with tailoring. Small projects can simplify stage gates and documentation while retaining key processes (requirements, design, verification) and control points, avoiding “over-process”.
❓ Q: How do processes get implemented in a team?
A: Through training, tooling (requirements management, configuration management, test management tools), and review systems, with continuous improvement via process metrics (e.g., defect density, schedule variance).
A: Through training, tooling (requirements management, configuration management, test management tools), and review systems, with continuous improvement via process metrics (e.g., defect density, schedule variance).
🔍 Q: How does this series relate to models such as CMMI and ASPICE?
A: 15288/12207 are foundational process standards; CMMI and ASPICE are capability-maturity assessment models. In practice, define processes with 15288/12207 and assess/improve process capability with maturity models — they are complementary.
A: 15288/12207 are foundational process standards; CMMI and ASPICE are capability-maturity assessment models. In practice, define processes with 15288/12207 and assess/improve process capability with maturity models — they are complementary.