Overview
ISO/IEC 29110-7-1:2026 is an international standard developed by ISO and IEC, targeting very small entities (VSEs) in the space software engineering domain. The standard provides detailed guidelines for implementing specific space software engineering profiles through a set of practical development processes. It is designed to support small suppliers, developers, project managers, and quality assurance managers in the space industry, including organizations with up to 25 personnel. Importantly, ISO/IEC 29110-7-1 does not mandate any particular system or software life cycle model or methodology, making it adaptable to various project needs.
The document aims to address the unique challenges faced by VSEs-such as limited resources and difficulty in applying large-scale standards-by focusing on incremental process improvement and risk-based approaches appropriate for the space sector.
Key Topics
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Space Software Engineering Guidelines for VSEs
- Clear, actionable guidance on processes for small entities in the space domain.
- Emphasis on flexibility, allowing VSEs to select processes relevant to their specific projects.
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Intermediate and Advanced Space Profiles
- Two tailored profiles for VSEs based on project complexity:
- Intermediate space profile: Focuses on visibility, disciplined management, configuration management, problem resolution, verification, and quality assurance.
- Advanced space profile: Expands to cover requirements elicitation, safety, dependability assurance, and non-testing verification activities.
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Process Implementation Principles
- Sectioned by management, quality, configuration, verification, and problem resolution functions.
- Clearly defined roles and work products relevant to small teams.
- Encourages a stepwise adoption of practices for process maturity.
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Work Product and Role Descriptions
- Comprehensive guidance on the creation, management, and tracking of deliverables.
- Roles can be flexibly assigned, reflecting the scale and needs of VSEs.
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Alignment with VSE Capabilities
- Processes are scaled and applicable for teams or projects with limited staffing and resources.
- Acknowledges the importance of compliance with space industry expectations for risk management and reliability.
Applications
ISO/IEC 29110-7-1:2026 is highly relevant for the following practical applications:
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Small Suppliers in the Space Industry
- Enables start-ups and small teams to participate in larger space projects by aligning their processes with industry-recognized standards without excessive overhead.
- Facilitates a gradual adoption of robust engineering and management practices necessary for satellite, spacecraft, or subsystem software development.
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Project Management and Quality Assurance
- Assists project managers and QA leads in structuring software development, managing risks, verifying deliverables, and maintaining quality throughout the project life cycle.
- Promotes documentation and traceability, which are critical in the space sector for certification and validation.
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Self-Assessment and Continuous Improvement
- Allows organizations to independently assess and improve their process capability.
- Supports preparation for external audits or qualification by space agencies or industry partners.
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Adaptability Across Life Cycle Models
- VSEs can apply guidelines to various software development life cycles (waterfall, agile, incremental, evolutionary), ensuring flexibility and relevance to different project approaches.
Related Standards
To maximize effectiveness and ensure alignment with broader industry practices, ISO/IEC 29110-7-1:2026 is designed to be used in conjunction with other ISO and IEC standards, including:
- ISO/IEC 29110 Series: Core framework for VSEs implementing systems and software engineering best practices.
- ISO/IEC 29110-5-1-2: Basic profile guidelines for entry-level VSE process adoption.
- ISO/IEC 29110-4, 29110-6, 29110-7: Further specifications and guidelines for VSE profiles in various domains.
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207: Software life cycle processes-provides foundational process elements used in profile definitions.
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288: System life cycle processes-covers broader systems engineering practices.
- ISO 9000: Quality management fundamentals and vocabulary, referenced in definitions and practices for quality assurance.
By following ISO/IEC 29110-7-1:2026, VSEs in the space domain gain a scalable path to process improvement, industry recognition, and higher participation in critical space projects while maintaining cost efficiency and operational effectiveness.
Open preview (PDF)Systems and software engineering — Life cycle profiles for very small entities (VSEs) — Part 7-1: Space software engineering guidelines