What Is Tool Qualification?

Tool qualification in the context of ISO 26262 involves ensuring that software tools used in the development of automotive systems meet safety and reliability standards. It includes assessing and documenting the suitability of tools to ensure they don’t compromise the safety of the final product.

DO-178C outlines guidelines for developing safety-critical airborne systems. Tool qualification ensures that tools used in the development process, including testing tools, meet specified standards and contribute to the overall safety of the software.

Streamlining tool qualification involves establishing a systematic and documented process to evaluate, verify, and validate software testing tools, ensuring they meet regulatory and project-specific requirements.

While some aspects of tool qualification can be automated, the process often involves a combination of automated testing, documentation, and manual assessment to ensure tools meet specific standards.

A TÜV certificate can contribute to tool qualification by providing evidence of a tool’s compliance with safety or functional standards. However, additional qualification activities may still be necessary.