Overview
ISO 21448 (“SOTIF”) provides a complementary framework alongside ISO 26262 (“Road Vehicles – Functional Safety”) for developers of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and automated vehicles (AVs). While ISO 26262 addresses hazards caused by system malfunctions, ISO 21448 addresses hazards that can arise from functional insufficiencies and foreseeable misuse when a system is functioning as designed. SRES instructors lead this training as senior industry practitioners with experience implementing functional safety and SOTIF processes across global OEM and supplier development programs.
This certification training helps participants understand the objectives and requirements of ISO 21448 and how they can be implemented through practical examples and interactive exercises. Because the ISO 26262 safety lifecycle provides a foundation for the SOTIF process, the course highlights the additional activities required to address SOTIF-related risks. An optional exam to obtain the SOTIF Professional (SOTIFPRO) certificate from SGS-TÜV Saar is available on the afternoon of the final training day.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for engineers, managers, and safety professionals involved in developing, evaluating, or overseeing partially or fully automated vehicle systems. It is particularly relevant for:
- Functional safety and SOTIF engineers working with ISO 26262 and ISO 21448
- Systems engineers developing ADAS, automated driving, and other complex vehicle functions
- Verification and validation engineers and testers evaluating known and unknown hazardous scenarios
- Safety managers and technical leads responsible for SOTIF planning, coordination, or product delivery
- Professionals conducting hazard identification and risk evaluation at the vehicle or system level
- Safety assessors preparing for SOTIF release activities, safety case reviews, or assessments integrated with ISO 26262
- Automotive OEM, supplier, and technology company personnel working on partially or fully automated systems
- Professionals who wish to pursue the optional SOTIF Professional (SOTIFPRO) certificate
Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the purpose and scope of ISO 21448 and how it complements ISO 26262
- Identify and evaluate SOTIF-specific hazards arising from functional insufficiencies and triggering conditions
- Apply the SOTIF safety lifecycle, from specification to release and operation
- Use the Hazard Identification and Risk Evaluation (HIRE) method to assess risks in complex driving scenarios
- Integrate SOTIF engineering activities at the vehicle and system level, particularly for ADAS and AV functions
- Develop appropriate verification and validation strategies for known and unknown hazardous scenarios
- Prepare for and contribute to the SOTIF release process, including assessment and safety case development
Agenda
Below you will find an outline of the training course schedule.
DAY 1
- Motivation for SOTIF
- Introduction to SOTIF and Functional Safety
- Overview and Organization of SOTIF Activities (Management of SOTIF)
- Specification and Design of the Intended Functionality
- Identification and Evaluation of Hazards (SOTIF HIRE)
DAY 2
- Identification and Evaluation of Functional Insufficiencies and Triggering Conditions
- Functional Modifications Addressing SOTIF-related Risks
- Verification and Validation Strategy
- Evaluation of Known and Unknown Hazardous Scenarios
DAY 3
- SOTIF Release – Assessment of SOTIF
- SOTIF in the Operation Phase
END OF DAY 3
- Optional SOTIF Professional (SOTIFPRO) Certificate Exam
Note: Private on-site training will be over three days, with the optional SOTIFPRO exam on Day 3.

