Overview
ISO/IEC TS 33060:2020 defines a process assessment model for system life cycle processes. The technical specification provides a two‑dimensional assessment model - a process dimension (the system life cycle processes and their performance indicators) and a quality dimension (process quality indicators mapped to a process measurement framework). It is conformant with ISO/IEC 33004 and intended for use when performing assessments in accordance with ISO/IEC 33002. The model is based on the process reference model in ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 and replaces ISO/IEC 15504‑6:2013.
Key topics and requirements
- Two‑dimensional model
- Process dimension: defines and classifies system life cycle processes (agreement, organizational/project‑enabling, technical management, technical processes) and the associated process performance indicators.
- Quality dimension: specifies process quality indicators for each process attribute in the selected process measurement framework (e.g., performance or capability attributes).
- Assessment indicators
- Indicators are provided to collect objective evidence for assessor judgments.
- The set of indicators is not prescriptive; assessors select or augment subsets appropriate to context and scope.
- Conformance and integration
- Scope of processes
- Covers the full spectrum of system life cycle processes (acquisition/supply; lifecycle model, infrastructure, portfolio, HR, quality, knowledge; project planning, risk, configuration, verification, validation, operation, maintenance, disposal, etc.).
- Assessment governance
- Assessments must follow a documented assessment process that specifies rating and aggregation methods.
Applications and who uses it
ISO/IEC TS 33060 is practical for organizations and professionals involved in systems engineering, process assessment, and process improvement:
- Assessors and audit teams performing conformant system life cycle process assessments.
- Systems engineers and technical managers mapping their engineering activities to measurement indicators.
- Quality and process improvement managers using assessment results to plan improvement programs.
- Vendors and acquirers aligning acquisition/supply lifecycle processes to a standardized assessment model.
- Tool vendors building assessment tools and templates based on ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 process structures.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 33001 - Concepts and terminology for process assessment
- ISO/IEC 33002 - Requirements for assessment processes
- ISO/IEC 33003 - Requirements for process measurement frameworks
- ISO/IEC 33004 - Requirements for assessment and reference models (conformance)
- ISO/IEC 33020 - Process measurement framework for capability assessment
- ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 - System life cycle processes (process reference model)
Keywords: ISO/IEC TS 33060, process assessment model, system life cycle processes, ISO/IEC 33004, ISO/IEC 33002, ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, process performance indicators, process quality indicators, systems engineering, process measurement framework.