A methodology for Electrics/Electronics platform release management in the automotive domain

Platform strategies, originating from pure hardware platforms, have proven effective in optimizing development processes in the automotive domain. Over time, software-driven innovations have emerged as the primary origin of novel features in automotive systems, as exemplified by functionalities like lane-keeping assistants, traffic-sign recognition, and the prospect of autonomous driving. To address the growing importance of software, automotive manufacturers progressively incorporate principles of software-platform engineering, for instance, by adopting software product lines. However, a notable gap still persists in thoroughly managing all facets of a cyber–physical automotive system, which involves hardware, software, electronics, variability, and their complex interactions. Efforts to address this gap and to achieve holistic platform management have resulted in electrics/electronics platforms to emerge in the automotive domain; but these platforms and transitioning towards them have not been fully worked out, yet. In this article, we contribute to addressing this gap by proposing a methodology for holistic electrics/electronics platform release management. We present detailed explanations of our methodology and its individual guidelines, which we derived from practical requirements and subsequently validated through expert assessments. Specifically, we conducted a series of workshops involving eight practitioners at a large international automotive manufacturer. Our methodology and insights can help other researchers and practitioners who work on adopting electrics/electronics platform management and emphasize possible directions for future research. • E/E platforms enable integrated variability management. • Implementing an E/E platform requires overarching release management. • We propose a method to consolidate and harmonize releases. • E/E platform release management fosters strategic planning.