Aerospace Firm Defines Trace Intent Before DO-178C Audit
An aerospace avionics program needed architectural clarity on requirements traceability before certification audit—ensuring coverage strategy aligned with DO-178C objectives and system risk.
The Challenge
The program had requirements traced to test cases, but no documented architectural rationale for coverage decisions. With a DO-178C certification audit approaching, the team needed to demonstrate that traceability reflected system architecture and safety objectives—not just tool-generated matrices.
Requirements traced to tests, but no architectural rationale for coverage decisions
DO-178C audit approaching with unclear trace intent
Traceability existed as compliance checkbox, not engineering tool
No documented strategy for what should trace to what—and why
Review teams questioned coverage sufficiency without clear architectural answer
Our Approach
We conducted traceability architecture advisory—defining coverage strategy, trace intent, and certification evidence expectations based on system architecture and DO-178C objectives.
Trace Intent Assessment
Evaluated existing traceability against certification objectives and architectural risk
Coverage Architecture Definition
Defined what must trace based on system architecture, not just requirements count
Audit Expectations Mapping
Mapped trace architecture to DO-178C objectives and audit evidence expectations
Review Readiness Guidance
Provided architectural rationale documentation for certification review
The Solution
We delivered an architectural traceability framework that defined coverage criteria, trace schemas, and certification evidence mappings. The framework provided clear rationale for what traces to what—and why it matters for DO-178C compliance.
Coverage Architecture
Defined 8 coverage criteria based on system architecture, safety criticality, and certification objectives.
Audit Evidence Map
Mapped traceability artifacts to DO-178C objectives with clear architectural rationale.
The Results
The program passed DO-178C certification audit with zero findings on traceability—and teams now use trace architecture for change impact analysis and architectural decision-making.
Clear architectural definition of trace intent and coverage strategy
DO-178C audit evidence mapped to architectural decisions
Traceability now supports engineering reasoning, not just compliance
Review confidence increased—teams can explain coverage rationale
Certification readiness achieved 6 weeks ahead of schedule
Need traceability architecture for certification?
Let's define coverage strategy before your audit.