Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
CAN/CSA ISO/IEC TR 24748-2-13 (2017): Guide to the Application of ISO/IEC 15288 for System Life Cycle Processes
Understanding the Canadian Adoption of the International Technical Report on Systems and Software Engineering – Life Cycle Management
CAN/CSA ISO/IEC TR 24748-2-13 (2017) is the Canadian adoption of the international Technical Report ISO/IEC TR 24748-2:2013, titled “Systems and software engineering – Life cycle management – Part 2: Guide to the application of ISO/IEC 15288 (System life cycle processes)”. This Technical Report provides essential guidance for organizations seeking to implement and tailor the system life cycle processes defined in ISO/IEC 15288. It is a pivotal resource for systems engineers, project managers, and quality assurance professionals who need to align their development and management practices with an internationally recognized framework.
Scope and Application
CAN/CSA ISO/IEC TR 24748-2-13 (2017) offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying the system life cycle processes specified in ISO/IEC 15288. Its scope encompasses all aspects of a system’s life—from concept through development, production, utilization, support, and retirement. The document is intended to help users:
- Interpret the intent and rationale behind the standard’s process categories and individual processes.
- Tailor the standard processes to fit their specific project, organizational, or system context.
- Integrate life cycle management practices with other business and technical processes.
- Evaluate and improve their existing system engineering and management approaches.
The Technical Report does not introduce new requirements; rather, it clarifies and expands on how to achieve the outcomes described in ISO/IEC 15288. It is applicable to any organization involved in creating or managing systems, including those in aerospace, defense, transportation, healthcare, energy, and information technology.
Tip: Use this Technical Report as a companion resource when conducting process assessments or when planning a transition to ISO/IEC 15288-based life cycle management. It provides illustrative examples and guidance that can significantly reduce the learning curve.
Technical Requirements and Guidance
Life Cycle Stages and Processes
The core of the guidance revolves around the six life cycle stages traditionally defined in ISO/IEC 15288: Concept, Development, Production, Utilization, Support, and Retirement. For each stage, the Technical Report describes the typical objectives, activities, and the applicable process groups. The table below summarizes the key stages and the primary processes that are emphasized.
| Life Cycle Stage | Primary Purpose | Emphasized Process Groups |
|---|---|---|
| Concept | Identify stakeholder needs and explore system concepts | Stakeholder Requirements Definition, Business or Mission Analysis |
| Development | Design, implement, and verify the system | Design, Implementation, Integration, Verification, Validation |
| Production | Manufacture, build, or produce the system | Production, Deployment |
| Utilization | Operate the system in its intended environment | Operation, Maintenance |
| Support | Sustain the system through maintenance and logistics | Maintenance, Service Provisioning |
| Retirement | Decommission, dispose, or archive the system | Disposal, Archival |
Process Tailoring and Adaptation
A major focus of CAN/CSA ISO/IEC TR 24748-2-13 (2017) is how to tailor the standard processes without losing their intended outcomes. The guidance discusses factors such as system complexity, organizational culture, regulatory requirements, and project scale. Tailoring decisions must be documented and justified, ensuring that the essential characteristics—such as risk management, quality assurance, and configuration management—are retained even when processes are simplified or merged.
Caution: Tailoring that omits key process outcomes, particularly in safety-critical or highly regulated sectors, can lead to compliance gaps and increased project risk. Always cross-reference tailoring choices with relevant domain standards and regulatory obligations.
Integration with Organizational and Project Processes
The Technical Report also addresses the harmonization of system life cycle processes with enterprise-level processes (e.g., human resource management, financial management) and project management processes (e.g., planning, risk management, measurement). It provides recommendations on how to map and integrate processes to avoid duplication and ensure seamless information flow.
Implementation Highlights
Successful implementation of the guidance in CAN/CSA ISO/IEC TR 24748-2-13 (2017) can be broken into several practical steps:
- Assessment: Evaluate the current life cycle practices against the process outcomes in ISO/IEC 15288, using the Technical Report as a reference for expected practices.
- Tailoring Plan: Develop a documented tailoring strategy that considers project-specific factors, and include a rationale for each deviation.
- Process Integration: Establish clear interfaces between technical processes (e.g., design, verification) and management processes (e.g., risk, measurement).
- Training and Awareness: Educate teams on the language and intent of the standard using the explanations provided in the Technical Report.
- Continuous Improvement: Use the outcomes defined in the Technical Report as benchmarks for process improvement cycles (such as those aligned with ISO/IEC 15504 or ASPICE).
Success Story: Many organizations that have adopted this guidance report more predictable project outcomes, better stakeholder alignment, and reduced rework during later life cycle stages. The structured approach to life cycle management pays dividends in both cost and schedule performance.
Compliance Notes and Considerations
Because CAN/CSA ISO/IEC TR 24748-2-13 (2017) is a Technical Report, it does not contain mandatory requirements. However, it is often used as a normative reference in contracts, proposals, or internal process standards. Organizations that wish to claim conformity with ISO/IEC 15288 should use this Technical Report as a key resource to interpret the process outcomes and demonstrate that their practices align with the intent of the standard.
Key compliance considerations include:
- Ensuring that all process outcomes are addressed, even if the process is tailored.
- Maintaining traceability from requirements through design, verification, and validation.
- Documenting tailoring decisions and the associated risk assessment.
- Performing periodic life cycle process reviews to confirm adherence to the intended practices.
Important: Using this Technical Report solely as a checklist without understanding its underlying principles can lead to superficial compliance. The guidance is designed to foster a deeper integration of life cycle thinking, not merely a box‑ticking exercise. Always engage subject matter experts to adapt the concepts to your operational context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the relationship between CAN/CSA ISO/IEC TR 24748-2-13 (2017) and ISO/IEC 15288?
A: This Technical Report serves as a companion guide to ISO/IEC 15288 (System life cycle processes). It explains the intent behind the standard’s processes, provides detailed examples, and offers practical advice for tailoring and implementation. It does not add new requirements but clarifies how to fulfill the outcomes of ISO/IEC 15288.
A: This Technical Report serves as a companion guide to ISO/IEC 15288 (System life cycle processes). It explains the intent behind the standard’s processes, provides detailed examples, and offers practical advice for tailoring and implementation. It does not add new requirements but clarifies how to fulfill the outcomes of ISO/IEC 15288.
Q: Is compliance with this Technical Report mandatory for organizations operating in Canada?
A: No, it is a voluntary consensus‑based Technical Report. However, it may be invoked in contracts, procurement documents, or internal corporate standards. Organizations seeking to demonstrate maturity in system life cycle management often reference this TR as evidence of their alignment with international best practices.
A: No, it is a voluntary consensus‑based Technical Report. However, it may be invoked in contracts, procurement documents, or internal corporate standards. Organizations seeking to demonstrate maturity in system life cycle management often reference this TR as evidence of their alignment with international best practices.
Q: Can I use this guidance for software‑only systems, or is it limited to hardware systems?
A: The guidance is applicable to any system, including those that are purely software‑intensive. It is part of the ISO/IEC 24748 series, which covers both systems and software engineering. For additional specific guidance on software life cycle processes, refer to the counterpart document ISO/IEC TR 24748‑3 (Guide to the application of ISO/IEC 12207).
A: The guidance is applicable to any system, including those that are purely software‑intensive. It is part of the ISO/IEC 24748 series, which covers both systems and software engineering. For additional specific guidance on software life cycle processes, refer to the counterpart document ISO/IEC TR 24748‑3 (Guide to the application of ISO/IEC 12207).
Q: How often is this Technical Report updated?
A: The International Standard ISO/IEC TR 24748-2 was first published in 2011 and updated in 2013. The Canadian adoption (CAN/CSA) version was published in 2017. Users should check with CSA Group or ISO for the latest edition to ensure they are following current guidance. As needs evolve, the Technical Report may be revised to reflect industry feedback and changes in technology.
A: The International Standard ISO/IEC TR 24748-2 was first published in 2011 and updated in 2013. The Canadian adoption (CAN/CSA) version was published in 2017. Users should check with CSA Group or ISO for the latest edition to ensure they are following current guidance. As needs evolve, the Technical Report may be revised to reflect industry feedback and changes in technology.
Published: 2026. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute official interpretation of the standard. Refer to the full document from CSA Group for authoritative text.