ASQ Ann Arbor Section Meeting 03AUG26:
Our Speaker: Chad Kymal, CTO Omnex
Title : How ASPICE and Functional Safety Are Relevant to a QMS
Abstract:
Modern vehicles have become software-defined, highly integrated systems—often described as “computers on wheels.” Even mainstream vehicles may contain around 100 electronic control units and more than 100 million lines of code, with electrified and highly automated platforms driving even greater complexity. In this environment, organizations cannot rely on traditional quality systems alone; they need a disciplined way to integrate quality management, engineering rigor, and safety assurance.
This presentation explores how a Quality Management System (QMS), Automotive SPICE (ASPICE), and Functional Safety under ISO 26262 fit together as a coherent management and development framework. ASPICE, while often associated with embedded software, extends across system, hardware, machine learning, and support engineering processes, making it a foundational model for disciplined product development. Functional Safety, in parallel, addresses the system, hardware, software, and support processes needed to achieve safety goals for automotive electrical and electronic systems. In this talk, I will explain how the QMS provides the management structure, while ASPICE and Functional Safety provide the detailed design and development work instructions needed to execute consistently and effectively. The Presentation will also outline a practical strategy for aligning these models so organizations can reduce duplication, improve traceability, and create a more unified approach to engineering excellence, compliance, and safe product realization.
About Our Presenter:
Chad Kymal is the CTO of Omnex Inc., an international consulting and training organization headquartered in the United States. After graduating from General Motors Institute, Chad spent a number of years working at General Motors and KPMG.
In addition to his bachelor’s degree from GMI, Chad holds both a master’s degree in industrial and operations engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA Cum Laude from the University of Michigan. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi.
Omnex has been working in the automotive industry for 30 years and Omnex principals been active in writing different automotive standards including QS 9000, ISO/TS 16949, Semiconductor Supplement, APQP, FMEA and Core Tools. Chad conducted the first world-wide witness audit for QS 9000 a predecessor to IATF 16949. He is the author of seven books and more than 100 papers including several on integrated management systems.
He authored and teaches a course for 3rd Party Auditors for Automotive Registrars on behalf of International Automotive Certification Bodies Association (IACBA). This course explains how 3rd Party Auditors audit IATF 16949 in an environment that includes ASPICE, Functional Safety and Product Cybersecurity.
He assesses and works in automotive system, hardware and software for Agile, ASPICE, and Functional Safety ISO 26262. Chad is also currently an intacs® certified Principal Assessor & Provisional Assessor Instructor for Automotive SPICE.