V&V Manager coordination and independent V&V authority for SIL 3-4 EN 50128 projects
Role: V&V Manager (VMGR)
Standard: EN 50128:2011 §5.1.2.10(e–f), §6.3.4.12–14
Authority source: tasks/VnV-PROCESS.md (ISA PASS), WORKFLOW.md (ISA PASS)
Machine-readable data: activities/vnv-process.yaml
VMGR is a platform extension role — it does not appear in EN 50128:2011 Annex B. Its normative basis is §5.1.2.10(e) (Verifier can report to Validator) and §5.1.2.10(f) (Validator shall not report to PM). The platform implements the "reports to Validator" option by naming a dedicated VMGR authority so the VER team reports to VMGR, not PM.
VMGR is:
VMGR is NOT:
| SIL | VMGR present | V&V routing | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIL 0 | No | COD → VER/VAL directly | §5.1.2.12 |
| SIL 1–2 | No | COD → VER/VAL directly; PM may oversee | §5.1.2.11 |
| SIL 3–4 | Yes (required) | COD → VMGR → VER/VAL only | §5.1.2.10(e–f); platform |
Platform requirement (deviation D-05 in DELIVERABLES.md): VMGR's use on any SIL 1-4
project must be approved by the Safety Authority and documented in the SQAP before use.
Source: activities/vnv-process.yaml vmgr_extension.platform_requirement.
| Phase(s) | VMGR duties |
|---|---|
| 1–6, 9–10 (standard) | Assigns VER to verify phase deliverables; reviews VER Verification Reports (after QUA pass); approves or rejects VER output; reports V&V outcome to COD |
| 7 (Validation — special) | Coordinates both VER and VAL sequentially (Step B1 then Step B2); reviews VER Integration Verification Report (item 23); coordinates VAL final validation; reviews VAL Validation Reports (items 25–26); reviews SW Validation Verification Report (item †); provides FINAL V&V DECISION — cannot be overridden; reports final V&V outcome to COD |
| 8 (Assessment) | VER performs 1st Check on ASR deliverables (items 45–46) under VMGR coordination; ASR is fully independent from VMGR — VMGR has NO authority over ASR or its deliverables |
Source: activities/vnv-process.yaml vmgr_extension.per_phase_duties.
Applies to: Phases 1–6, 9–10. Triggered after QUA template PASS on the VER Verification Report for the phase.
VMGR reviews technical content — not format (that is QUA's job). For each phase, confirm the following:
tests/stubs/ directory (or equivalent) was checked for existing
stubs that would allow the uncovered path to be exercised on a host build.Decision:
workspace.py wf review; report outcome to CODPhase 7 runs in two sequential sub-steps under VMGR coordination. Source:
activities/vnv-process.yaml phase7_corrected_track_b_sil_34.
B0 COD sends Phase 7 V&V request to VMGR
│
B1 VMGR assigns VER
VER produces SW Integration Verification Report (item 23)
QUA template check on item 23
→ FAIL: VER re-issues
→ PASS: proceed
VMGR reviews item 23 (technical review per Phase 6 integration scope)
→ REJECT: VER reworks; QUA re-checks; return to VMGR
→ APPROVE: proceed to B2
│
B2 VMGR assigns VAL
VAL performs final validation:
reviews all phase evidence;
produces SW Validation Report (item 25);
produces Tools Validation Report (item 26, if applicable);
produces Release Note §7.7.4.12 (item 27; authorship per SQAP — deviation D-04)
VAL issues release decision: APPROVE or REJECT (§5.1.2.8)
→ VAL REJECT: VMGR notifies COD; COD notifies PM; PM coordinates rework
→ full B1–B2 loop repeats
→ VAL APPROVE: proceed
QUA template check on VAL reports (items 25, 26)
→ FAIL: VAL re-issues; QUA re-checks
→ PASS: proceed
VER produces SW Validation Verification Report (item †, §6.3.4.12–14)
QUA template check on item † (1-Pass Rule: max 1 resubmission)
→ FAIL: VER re-issues (max 1 time); 2nd rejection = process failure → escalate
→ PASS: proceed
VMGR reviews item † AND items 25–26 together
→ REJECT: VER/VAL reworks; QUA re-checks
→ APPROVE: VMGR FINAL V&V DECISION GRANTED (cannot be overridden by COD or PM)
│
B3 VMGR reports V&V outcome to COD
COD records in LIFECYCLE_STATE.md and enforces Phase 7 gate
Critical constraint: VMGR MUST NOT issue the Final V&V Decision before item † has passed QUA template check and VMGR has reviewed it alongside items 25–26.
Applies to: Phase 7 Step B2, after QUA template PASS on items 25 and 26.
VMGR decision on VAL reports:
Normative basis: §6.3.4.12, §6.3.4.13, §6.3.4.14
Writer: VER
Phase: 7, Track B Step B2 — after QUA check on VAL reports, before VMGR Final V&V Decision
Precondition: Item † must be named in SVP (§6.2.4.2) and in SQAP.
What item † must contain (per §6.3.4.12–14):
VMGR checks in item †:
Combined review rule: VMGR reviews item † and items 25–26 as a set. The Final V&V Decision is issued only when all three are approved in the same review cycle.
Perform before starting any V&V activity for a phase:
VER team independence:
VAL independence:
VMGR independence:
If any item is unchecked: block V&V activities; raise CRITICAL NCR via QUA; escalate to PM for immediate Safety Authority notification. Do not proceed until resolved.
After completing each phase V&V cycle, VMGR sends a structured outcome record to COD.
COD records this in LIFECYCLE_STATE.md.
Standard phases (1–6, 9–10):
VMGR V&V Outcome — Phase <N>
VER Report: <Annex C item number> — <Document ID>
Decision: APPROVED | REJECTED
Date: <YYYY-MM-DD>
Rationale: <one paragraph: what was reviewed, which criteria were met or not met>
VMGR: <name / identifier>
Phase 7 (Final V&V Decision):
VMGR Final V&V Decision — Phase 7
VER Integration Report: Item 23 — <Document ID> APPROVED <date>
VAL Validation Report: Item 25 — <Document ID> APPROVED <date>
Tools Validation Report: Item 26 — <Document ID> APPROVED <date> | N/A
SW Val. Verification: Item † — <Document ID> APPROVED <date>
FINAL V&V DECISION: GRANTED | REJECTED
Date: <YYYY-MM-DD>
Rationale: <paragraph>
VMGR: <name / identifier>
Routing: VMGR sends outcome to COD. COD cannot modify or override the decision. COD records the outcome and enforces the gate accordingly.
VMGR uses workspace.py wf review to record decisions in the workflow state.
Reference: en50128-lifecycle-tool-integration skill → workspace.py command reference.
# VMGR approves a VER Verification Report (standard phases)
python3 tools/workspace.py wf review <DOCUMENT_ID> \
--role VMGR \
--name '<VMGR Name>' \
--approve \
--comment "VER report technically adequate; all SIL criteria met"
# VMGR rejects a VER Verification Report
python3 tools/workspace.py wf review <DOCUMENT_ID> \
--role VMGR \
--name '<VMGR Name>' \
--reject \
--comment "<finding summary — specific criteria not met>"
# VMGR approves VAL reports (Phase 7)
python3 tools/workspace.py wf review <DOC-VALRPT-ID> \
--role VMGR \
--name '<VMGR Name>' \
--approve \
--comment "VAL report adequate; all SRS requirements validated"
# VMGR approves item † (Phase 7)
python3 tools/workspace.py wf review <DOC-VALVER-ID> \
--role VMGR \
--name '<VMGR Name>' \
--approve \
--comment "Item † reviewed; VER conclusion consistent with VAL evidence"
# VMGR issues Final V&V Decision (Phase 7 — after all three approved)
# There is no dedicated wf subcommand for the Final V&V Decision.
# Record it as a final approval of item †, then write the structured
# VMGR Final V&V Decision block (Section 9 format) directly into
# LIFECYCLE_STATE.md via COD.
python3 tools/workspace.py wf approve <DOC-VALVER-ID>
After all Phase 7 approvals are recorded, VMGR writes the structured Final V&V
Decision record (Section 9 format) and sends it to COD for entry into
LIFECYCLE_STATE.md.