A Software Quality Improvement Leader (SQIL) is a specialized, Volkswagen-certified role within the automotive industry designed to enhance software development processes at supplier companies. The SQIL acts as an on-site coach and quality agent, ensuring that supplier projects comply with Automotive SPICE and Volkswagen-specific standards (e.g., KGAS – Group Basic Requirements for Software, Formula Q Capability Software, Functional Safety Development Guideline) to achieve sustainable improvements and higher supplier ratings.

1. Kickoff at the supplier
   • Participants: all key project stakeholders, possibly including OEM quality assurance.
   • Topics
     • Explanation of the role and collaboration model.
     • Current quality status in the project (e.g. discussion of last assessment)
     • Planning of SQIL reviews
2. SQIL Review
   • Review of
     • planning of release content
     • the planning of improvement actions for a release
     • Timeliness / validity of the existing improvement plan
     • Resource management
   • Execution of spot checks to validate the closure of improvement actions
   • Review of quality performance
     • Carrying out risk assessments
     • Spot check of traceability through the entire development process
     • Plausibility check of the quality metrics collected by the supplier
     • If necessary, statement on the usefulness of a follow-up assessment by the OEM
3. SQIL reporting
   • SQIL reporting (on the reviews): Upon request of the OEM, a report on the review is generated together with the supplier and sent by the supplier to the OEM.

Several Process Fellows employees are “SQIL certified”. We take over the SQIL role when the OEM asks for it.