V-Model Framework Overview

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Status: Proposal
Last Updated: November 5, 2025
Author: COVESA GenAI Working Group
Audience: All working group members

V-Model Development Flow: Context and Purpose

The V-Model is a proven systems engineering approach widely used in automotive development. It structures the development lifecycle into distinct stages, emphasizing both the decomposition of requirements (left side of the "V") and the corresponding integration and validation activities (right side of the "V").

In the context of Generative AI for automotive, the V-Model provides a clear framework for:

• Mapping GenAI use cases to specific development stages

• Ensuring traceability from high-level requirements to implementation and validation

• Supporting collaboration across diverse teams and domains

• Assigning use cases to a primary "home" process area with clear ownership

This framework overview aligns GenAI capabilities and best practices with each stage of the V-Model, enabling a systematic and standards-driven approach to AI adoption in automotive workflows.

The 4-Layer Architecture

The framework uses four architectural layers representing different levels of system decomposition:

🚗 Vehicle Layer

The complete, integrated vehicle system. This is the top level where all domains (mechanical, electrical, software) come together.

• Scope: Vehicle-level requirements, integration, validation, and homologation

• Domains: Inherently cross-domain (the integrated whole)

• Key Activities: Vehicle integration testing, type approval, complete system validation

• GenAI Value: End-to-end traceability, cross-domain consistency, regulatory compliance automation

⚙️ System Layer ← Domain Split Happens Here

Functional systems within the vehicle (e.g., ADAS, powertrain, infotainment, suspension).

• Scope: System-level design and validation

• Domain Split: At this level, systems split into:

  • 🔴 Mechanical (e.g., steering mechanics, suspension)

  • 🟠 Electrical (e.g., power distribution, wiring harness)

  • 🔵 Software (e.g., AUTOSAR applications, middleware)

• Key Activities: System specification, architectural design, system testing

• GenAI Value: Architecture validation, interface consistency, domain integration

📦 Module Layer

Functional modules that comprise systems (e.g., ECU, sensor module, mechanical subsystem).

• Scope: Module-level design and integration

• Domains: Inherit from parent system (mechanical module, electrical module, software module)

• Key Activities: Module design, supplier integration, module testing

• GenAI Value: Module test generation, supplier coordination, integration planning

🔩 Component Layer

Individual components at the lowest granular level.

• Scope: Component specification, implementation, unit testing

• Domains: Continue domain split (parts, circuits, code units)

• Key Activities: Detailed design, coding, unit testing, component validation

• GenAI Value: Code generation, unit test generation, documentation

The Domain Split

Unlike traditional software-only frameworks, this architecture explicitly recognizes that mechanical, electrical, and software engineering are distinct disciplines with different tools, processes, and expertise.

Why split at System Layer?

• Vehicle layer is inherently integrated (the whole vehicle)

• Systems have clear domain identity at this level

• Different tool vendors often operate within the layer boundaries

• Organizational structure typically aligns with systems/modules/components

• Packages are typically domain-specific systems/modules

Process Areas: V-Model Stages & Supporting Processes

Process Areas are the organizational "home" for every use case. Each UC has exactly one primary Process Area where it lives and finds its owner.

Process Areas consist of:

1. V-Model Stages - The primary development workflow stages

2. Supporting Processes - Cross-stage processes that enable the V-Model

V-Model Stages (Primary Development Flow)

Supporting Processes (Cross-Lifecycle Activities)

Key Principle: Each use case has exactly one home process area. While a UC may affect multiple stages/processes, it is primarily "owned" and located in one place where the responsible team/organization lives.

Use Case Organization

Use cases are organized by their home Process Area, then within each area:

• Primary Property: Process Area (REQ, ARC, DES, IMP, TST, INT, VEH, CFG, QA, SUP, RIM, DOC)

• Secondary Properties:

  • Layer (Vehicle, System, Module, Component)

  • Domain (Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Cross-domain)

  • Cross-boundary Impacts (which other stages/processes are affected)

  • Priority (High, Medium, Low)

This allows:

• ✅ Primary Navigation: Find use cases by home process area (where the owner team works)

• ✅ Clear Ownership: Every UC has a clear organizational home and responsible team

• ✅ Flexible Search: Filter by layer, domain, priority, cross-stage impacts

• ✅ Cross-boundary Visibility: See impacts and dependencies across process areas in UC description

Use Case ID Format

Format: UC-[PROCESS-AREA]-[###]

• PROCESS-AREA: REQ, ARC, DES, IMP, TST, INT, VEH, CFG, QA, SUP, RIM, DOC (see Process Areas table above)

• Number: Sequential within the process area (001, 002, etc.)

Examples:

• UC-REQ-001 = First use case in Requirements Management

• UC-SUP-005 = Fifth use case in Supplier Management

• UC-TST-012 = Twelfth use case in Testing & Validation

• UC-ARC-003 = Third use case in Architecture & System Design

Why this works:

• Simple and readable

• Directly maps to where the UC "lives"

• Each process area/team knows their UC range

• Easy to assign owners and responsibilities

Framework Benefits

Last Updated: November 5, 2025
Maintained By: COVESA GenAI Working Group