The Critical Challenges of Safety Standards, Organisational Factors, Software Tools and Innovation

Purpose and goal

The aim was to understand and mitigate negative impact on high-profile software safety standards on highly competitive development organisations. A conflict centered on certification software levels was identified between different types of software designers. It indicates that firms looking to use technology early should attempt to do so where it requires the strictest software level - otherwise it will be difficult to ensure strategic benefit.

Expected results and effects

The project has disseminated the results in the intended forums and to the anticipated degree. In connection with this a multi-disciplinary research agenda has been created, which brings together organisational culture in industry and academia with value creation. KTH and a company have also built a consortium and submitted a proposal for funding a large research project in regard to autonomous marine vessels. That project will include parts that build on the results of this project.

Planned approach and implementation

The goals were achieved by studying current industrial challenges related to organisational factors, software tools and innovation at six Rolls-Royce sites. Due to contractual issues the project was delayed and only carried out in-depth with three of the sites. The research approach has been appropriate, but has been negatively affected by unrealistic expectations on the project by e.g. legal staff.