Case study on prioritizing test cases and selecting the most qualified validation environment using an OEM’s transmission application as an example

Using the example of an Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) transmission application, it can be seen that large parts are currently being validated using real, physical prototype vehicles. Accordingly, validation in the automotive product development process (PDP) is taking place very late. In addition to this need for time optimization, another challenge is the complete validation of all variants of product generations in an OEM’s product portfolio with, among other things, increasingly divergent, country-specific engine/transmission combinations. An advance shift of validation activities via simulation or test benches into the Early Phase in the Model of PGE – Product Generation Engineering can compensate these current disadvantages so that more extensive test cases can be mapped at an early stage. The selection of the validation environment is influenced by various factors such as the time in the PDP and the associated possible accuracy or restrictions due to limited or inaccurate representation of the environmental system. The knowledge gained from the specification or the variation of solution-open elements (e.g. product properties and functions) in the early phase of PGE allows early identification of critical subsystems. ... mehrNevertheless, there is a lack of systematic approaches that supports the product developer in choosing the most qualified validation environment depending on the variation shares. In the context of the paper, a case study is used to show that existing approaches have so far not been able to support the product developer with sufficient accuracy in choosing the most qualified validation environment. Furthermore, research gaps in the prioritization of test cases in the context of the PDP are identified. Finally, a first approach is presented on how existing methodological approaches can be further developed and merged to close the identified gaps.