The ASQMS standard (Automotive Software Quality Management System) is an integrated quality management system designed for software-defined products.
It brings together existing standards, organizational structures, and development processes into one consistent framework, which enables organizations to manage software quality, responsibility, and life-cycle control across the entire mobility ecosystem. To drive this idea, we actively contribute to to the standard as Working Group leader and participants.
Traditional quality management approaches are no longer sufficient in a software-defined world.
Organizations today must manage:
- continuous software updates
- cross-functional teams
- distributed ecosystems
- increasing regulatory requirements
Without a unified structure, this leads to:
- duplicated processes
- unclear responsibilities
- gaps in lifecycle control
The ASQMS standard addresses these challenges by providing a single, integrated system.
ASQMS is not another standalone standard.
It integrates existing frameworks such as:
- ISO 26262 (functional safety)
- ISO 21434 (cybersecurity)
Instead of managing these standards separately, ASQMS combines them into one coherent structure. This eliminates duplication, aligns processes, and ensures that requirements are consistently applied across the organization.
ASQMS covers the complete lifecycle of software-defined products.
This includes:
- development
- integration
- deployment
- updates and maintenance
- Termination
By providing end-to-end lifecycle control, ASQMS ensures that quality and responsibility do not stop at the start of production but extend across the entire product lifetime.
The ASQMS standard is designed for the full mobility ecosystem.
It applies to all elements connected to the vehicle, including:
- onboard systems within the vehicle
- offboard systems such as cloud services and backend platforms
- interfaces between partners and suppliers
This ecosystem perspective ensures that quality and responsibility are managed consistently across all connected systems.
Unlike traditional quality management systems, ASQMS:
- integrates multiple standards instead of adding new ones
- connects organization, processes, and governance
- focuses on lifecycle responsibility, not just development
- enables cross-company collaboration within ecosystems
It shifts quality management from a project-based activity to a structural organizational capability.
ASQMS as a Structural Operating System
ASQMS acts as a structural operating system for software-defined organizations.
It provides:
- a unified framework for decision-making
- transparency across processes and responsibilities
- consistent governance across the lifecycle
This allows organizations to scale software development while maintaining control, quality, and compliance.
Who Should Use the ASQMS Standard
How to Get Started with ASQMS
Implementing ASQMS requires more than understanding a standard. Start your ASQMS journey