Key Software Standards for Usability, Quality, and Safety in Modern Industries

Software has become the backbone of nearly every modern business and industry. Whether powering rolling stock in railways, enabling seamless digital user experiences, or guiding mission-critical business operations, software solutions are integral to organizational success. However, as reliance on software grows, so too does the need for robust quality, usability, and safety standards. This article explores three key international standards—SIST EN 50657:2017/A1:2023, SIST EN ISO/IEC 25064:2017, and SIST-TP CEN ISO/IEC TR 25060:2017—that are shaping software development, evaluation, and deployment across diverse sectors. We will uncover their essential requirements, practical applications, and business benefits for organizations striving to increase productivity, security, and scalability in today’s competitive landscape.

Overview / Introduction

In the Information Technology sector, ensuring software operates reliably, safely, and efficiently has never been more critical. As businesses digitalize operations and users expect flawless interactions, implementing recognized software standards offers a proven path to meeting these challenges. International standards guide organizations in designing applications that are robust, usable, and secure—improving stakeholder confidence and market competitiveness.

This article covers three essential standards:

• SIST EN 50657:2017/A1:2023: Focused on software for railway rolling stock applications, emphasizing safety and lifecycle management.
• SIST EN ISO/IEC 25064:2017: Outlines the Common Industry Format (CIF) for documenting user needs in software and hardware, boosting usability.
• SIST-TP CEN ISO/IEC TR 25060:2017: Establishes a general framework for usability-related information, forming the foundation of the CIF family.

By understanding and applying these standards, organizations can foster increased productivity, security, regulatory compliance, and scalability. This guide will help professionals grasp each standard’s scope, core requirements, and real-world impact.

Detailed Standards Coverage

SIST EN 50657:2017/A1:2023 – Software on Board Rolling Stock

Railways Applications - Rolling Stock Applications - Software on Board Rolling Stock

The SIST EN 50657:2017/A1:2023 standard lays out stringent requirements for the software used in railway rolling stock systems. Building on the widely adopted EN 50657 series and integrating lessons from the signalling-specific EN 50128, this amendment ensures continuity and alignment for safety-critical onboard applications.

Its scope governs all aspects of software lifecycle management, from requirements capture through development, validation, and maintenance, focusing on functional safety and reliability. The standard underlines risk management, traceability, change control, and organizational frameworks to support safe software operation in highly regulated environments like railways.

Notably, the document clarifies in subclause 1.6:

'NOTE This document was derived from the signalling standard EN 50128 which in many cases was also applied in Rolling Stock applications. Subclause 1.6 ensures continuity in the application of the standards, i.e., software that was developed in accordance with EN 50128 can still be re-used for new projects.'

Who should comply:

• Railway operators and rolling stock manufacturers
• Safety assessors, software engineers, and system integrators in the railway domain

Practical Impact:

• Aligns software practices across entities and suppliers
• Reduces system integration risks and lifecycle duplication
• Enhances passenger safety and operational dependability

Key highlights:

• Lifecycle approach to software development for rail rolling stock
• Emphasizes organizational roles in managing safety and software quality
• Ensures legacy software compliant with EN 50128 can transition under the new framework

Access the full standard:View SIST EN 50657:2017/A1:2023 on iTeh Standards

SIST EN ISO/IEC 25064:2017 – Common Industry Format for Usability: User Needs Report

Systems and Software Engineering - Software Product Quality Requirements and Evaluation (SQuaRE) - Common Industry Format (CIF) for Usability: User Needs Report (ISO/IEC 25064:2013)

SIST EN ISO/IEC 25064:2017 focuses on how organizations document and consolidate user needs in software and hardware product development. As part of the SQuaRE family, this standard introduces the Common Industry Format (CIF) for user needs reports—a central deliverable in user-centered design and usability engineering.

The standard specifies the structure and content elements for user needs documentation. It guides teams in collecting, documenting, and analyzing information from various user and stakeholder sources, and integrating this into system-level development documentation. It is applicable in both new and existing product scenarios and can play a vital role in refining requirements through iterative lifecycle models.

Who should comply:

• Software and systems engineers, usability and UX professionals
• Project managers responsible for product development
• Any organization developing interactive systems (excludes generic hardware like screens/keyboards)

Practical Impact:

• Drives product designs that closely match actual end-user requirements
• Improves usability, accessibility, and satisfaction
• Reduces risk of project failure due to misunderstood or undocumented needs

Key highlights:

• Clear, standardized methodology for reporting and consolidating user needs
• Supports iterative improvement and traceability of requirements to user and stakeholder needs
• Can be integrated with lifecycle processes such as ISO 9241-210 and ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 7

Access the full standard:View SIST EN ISO/IEC 25064:2017 on iTeh Standards

SIST-TP CEN ISO/IEC TR 25060:2017 – General Framework for Usability-Related Information (CIF)

Systems and Software Engineering - Systems and Software Product Quality Requirements and Evaluation (SQuaRE) - Common Industry Format (CIF) for Usability: General Framework for Usability-Related Information (ISO/IEC TR 25060:2010)

SIST-TP CEN ISO/IEC TR 25060:2017 defines the overarching framework for the entire Common Industry Format (CIF) family, detailing how usability-related information should be specified, documented, and evaluated. While it does not prescribe specific processes or lifecycle methods, it provides the structural backbone upon which specific usability standards—such as user needs reports or evaluations—are built.

The standard is applicable to both software and hardware products, especially those used for predefined interactive tasks. It underpins cross-functional communication and systematic documentation within the software and systems engineering process, aligning human-centered design activities with organizational stakeholder requirements.

Who should comply:

• Product managers, usability specialists, quality managers
• Software developers and enterprise architects
• Procurement specialists and corporate purchasers

Practical Impact:

• Facilitates comprehensive usability engineering and reporting
• Enhances cross-team collaboration and standardizes terminology
• Supports product acquisition, development, competitive analysis, and maintenance

Key highlights:

• Provides a general, process-independent framework for usability information
• Clarifies required categories and formats for usability data, fostering best practices
• Designed for synergy with SQuaRE series and other usability standards (ISO 9241, ISO/IEC 9126)

Access the full standard:View SIST-TP CEN ISO/IEC TR 25060:2017 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Adopting these three standards enables organizations to optimize their software lifecycle, mitigate risk, and ensure compliance with international regulations. In high-stakes sectors such as transportation, healthcare, and enterprise IT, adherence to EN 50657, ISO/IEC 25064, and the CIF usability framework supports:

• Enhanced productivity and process efficiency
• Improved software safety and quality
• Better customer experiences through usability
• Informed decision-making across design, development, and procurement
• Stronger legal defensibility and reduced liability exposure

By integrating these standards, businesses position themselves for smoother scaling, innovation, and reliable market delivery. Conversely, failure to comply can lead to project overruns, regulatory penalties, increased support costs, and diminished market trust.

Implementation Guidance

Steps for Implementing Software Standards:

1. Gap Analysis:
   • Assess existing processes, tools, and documentation vs. standard requirements (e.g., trace software lifecycle activities against EN 50657 for onboard rolling stock systems, or current user needs documentation against ISO/IEC 25064).
2. Stakeholder Engagement:
   • Involve all affected departments (e.g., software, QA, compliance, usability, procurement).
3. Documentation & Training:
   • Update internal processes and documentation templates to reflect relevant standards.
   • Train development/advisory teams in standard concepts and deliverables.
4. Tool Integration:
   • Use software tools that support requirements management, user needs traceability, and standardized reporting.
5. Continuous Improvement:
   • Periodically review and refine processes as standards are updated or new business needs emerge.

Best Practices

• Embed usability and quality standards from the project outset. Early adoption prevents costly changes later.
• Promote a culture of documentation and traceability. Maintain well-defined audit trails for compliance and improvement purposes.
• Leverage cross-functional expertise. Usability, safety, and quality are multidisciplinary domains.
• Stay updated on standard revisions. Use platforms like iTeh Standards for sourcing the latest editions and best practices guidance.

Resources for Organizations

• Official standard texts (accessible via iTeh Standards)
• Industry workshops and webinars
• Training from standards bodies or certified consultancy
• Open-source tools for requirements management and usability engineering

Conclusion / Next Steps

Maintaining a competitive edge in today’s software-driven landscape demands more than technical excellence—it requires careful adherence to internationally accepted standards for usability, safety, and quality. SIST EN 50657:2017/A1:2023, SIST EN ISO/IEC 25064:2017, and SIST-TP CEN ISO/IEC TR 25060:2017 empower organizations to create products that not only work but excel in functionality, security, and user satisfaction.

By implementing these standards, companies can:

• Accelerate product development and scaling
• Increase productivity and reduce lifecycle costs
• Minimize operational risk and improve stakeholder trust
• Enhance digital transformation initiatives across sectors

To ensure ongoing compliance and maximize the benefits of these standards:

• Conduct regular training and audits
• Continuously update documentation and processes
• Explore the full suite of software and usability standards at iTeh Standards

Embrace these proven frameworks—and position your organization for sustainable success in the digital age.