Assessment team size (minimum and maximum)

Recently we received questions regarding the minimum and maximum size of assessment teams.

Based on our current procedure "EE concept V7.5" the chapter 2.1 defines that "The assessment team shall consist of a lead assessor and at least one [...] co-assessor(s)." So, the minimum assessment team size is two. If only one lead assessor performs an assessment, this is not in line with our procedure. In this case no EE-AL (nor EE-AT) is granted. Please ensure that the assessment team fulfills all criteria mentioned in the procedure.

There is also a limit of one (1)  lead assessor and maximum of four (4) co-assessors for an assessment. This also applies for complex assessments e.g., class 1 assessments. "Only up to 4 co-assessors can be listed in the intacs Assessment Log template and are considered eligible to obtain an experience evidence as assessment team member (EE-AT) per single assessment."

intacs® information letter 2023-09

The current intacs^®  infoletter has been published - please see link attached. 

Hardware SPICE pilot training after VDA SYS conference

Following the VDA-SYS conference, a Hardware-SPICE 2.1 pilot training has taken place in Berlin. Participants were 8 intacs certified instructors from different regions of the world and additional 4 principal assessors. The very first exam for the training will be held on 17.10.2023 by ECQA after the exam questions are released by all boards. The certificate will be mutually recognised by ECQA and VDA-QMC after the release of Automotive SPICE 4.0. In the first step, the hardware SPICE training is offered to intacs certified instructors worldwide. The feedback of the participants was reflected back to the working group and is processed by it. 

Current rules for online activities (status as of November 11th, 2022)

intacs^® and VDA QMC accepted to perform assessments and trainings completely online.

To ensure the high-quality expectations of intacs^®, the current rules apply until further notice:

For the following training courses, the online and onsite execution (including online and onsite exams) is allowed:

• intacs^® certified Provisional Assessor
• intacs^® certified Competent Assessor *)
• intacs^® Introduction to VDA Automotive SPICE^® Guidelines
• intacs^® Automotive SPICE^® for Cybersecurity

For the following observations, the online and onsite execution is allowed:

• Competent Course Participant Observation
• Competent Assessor Candidate Observation (during an assessment) **)
• Instructor Observation ***)

For assessments, the online and onsite execution is allowed:

• The VDA Automotive SPICE^® Guidelines v1.0 specify in chapter 8.3.1: "It is not appropriate to perform interviews for data collection only using phone and/or video conferences."
  Due to the past and current COVID-19 related restrictions to meet in person, the forenamed requirement is suspended until further notice.
  The VDA QMC project group thereby likes to foster the performance of assessments even during pandemic situations.
• intacs^® recommends following the Guideline for Remote Process Assessments.

*) For the “intacs^® certified Competent Assessor” training, there are mandatory rules for online performance:

• This training must be conducted via video conference, so the trainer is able to observe the participants.
• A tool must be used to allow working groups in separate sessions, between which the trainer can switch anytime.

**) For the “Competent Assessor Candidate Observation (during an assessment)”, there are mandatory rules for online performance:

• The observation must be conducted via video conference, so the observer is able to observe the behavior of the candidate as well as the reaction of the interviewees.

***) For the “Instructor Observation”, there are mandatory rules for online performance:

• This training must be conducted via video conference, so the observer is able to observe the Instructor candidate as well as the participants all the time.
• The latest Observation sheet must be filled-in by the Observer to document and maintain all necessary steps and results.

intacs^® is continuously working on updated procedures with additional requirements to ensure the quality of onsite and online activities also in the future. This includes the criteria for observers who have an important responsibility.

Community Publications hosted on intacs

Grace Period for Assessor Certification

If an assessor is not able to collect all necessary Experience Evidence due to cancelled assessments or events because of the pandemic time period, the Certification Bodies will grant up to 6 additional months for collecting and providing the missing EEs.

But the additional time does not mean that the certification period will be extended! E.g. if the current period is from January 2018 to December 2020, and you use the first 6 months of 2021 to collect missing EEs, the new period will still be from January 2021 to December 2023.

And another procedure rule still applies: Already used EEs cannot be used twice! E.g. if you collect EEs within the first 6 months of 2021 in order to use them for the certification period from 2021 to 2023, you cannot use these EEs for the next certification period even if they are within the 36 months’ time frame.

Guideline for Remote Process Assessments

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are receiving several questions regarding the possibility of performing remote assessments. Is this permissible, recommended, or not?

Please find out our answer and a few recommendations in our brief Guideline for Remote Process Assessments.