Since tools and machines, whether they are intended for industrial or consumer use, are getting more and more complex, functional safety is becoming more important, due to the escalating complexity of the control mechanisms in use, which provide protection against a significantly larger number of scenarios.

These constraints require the management of the software development life cycle (SDLC). Example safety standards such as ISO 26262 and IEC 61508, aim to reduce risk by requiring functional safety elements to be examined at every stage of the SDLC – including requirement specification, design, implementation, verification, validation and deployment. In certain development workflows this process is commonly represented by the V diagram, such as the one above from ISO 26262.

Process includes the identification of potential hazards, analysis of the risks associated with those hazards, and implementation of mitigating measures. Functional safety holds particular significance in sectors characterized by an elevated potential for harm or loss, including but not limited to automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and industrial equipment. In such industries, ensuring the dependable operation of systems becomes paramount to prevent any adverse outcomes.