The ISO/IEC/IEEE Joint Technical Committee on systems and software engineering continues to refine and expand its portfolio of standards to address the evolving needs of digital systems development, lifecycle management, and service acquisition. In early 2025, four Draft International Standards (DIS) were released for public review, marking significant progress in agile systems engineering, supplier management, planning, and incident response.
Here’s an overview of the four key drafts now available:
ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 26512
This draft provides a structured framework for acquiring and delivering information products and services, focusing on clearly defined roles and responsibilities for acquirers and suppliers. It helps both parties align expectations across the product lifecycle, from initial request and contract formation to acceptance and support.
Why it matters:
- Enhances transparency and accountability in outsourcing, procurement, and service delivery
- Supports compliance with international contracting practices
- Applies to everything from software-as-a-service (SaaS) models to documentation services and digital platforms
ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 24748-10
This long-awaited draft offers practical guidance for applying agile principles to systems engineering, which is traditionally considered more rigid and plan-driven. It emphasizes balancing agility with discipline, especially in safety-critical, regulated, or hardware-intensive environments.
What’s new:
- Adaptable frameworks for agile planning, verification, and architecture
- Tailoring guidance for hybrid and scaled agile systems development
- Emphasis on continuous stakeholder engagement and incremental delivery
Who should care: Systems engineers, program managers, and organizations integrating agile methods into large-scale systems or mixed teams.
ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 24748-4
A foundational document for managing complex systems engineering efforts, this draft updates the guidance on SE management planning to reflect modern practices, risk management, and lifecycle thinking.
Highlights:
- Structured approach to planning across development, integration, verification, and support
- Covers governance, decision-making, risk, configuration, and information management
- Helps ensure traceability and alignment across diverse technical disciplines and stakeholders
ISO/IEC/IEEE DIS 23612
Software and systems engineering — Incident management
As digital ecosystems become more interconnected and critical, incident management is no longer just an IT concern—it’s a core capability for all system developers and operators. This new draft standard outlines how to prepare for, respond to, analyze, and learn from incidents.
Why it’s timely:
- Aligns with broader resilience and cybersecurity frameworks
- Encourages integration of incident management into engineering and operational processes
- Applies to software failures, security breaches, and service outages alike
What’s Next?
These draft standards are open for comment and are expected to be finalized in the coming year. Organizations and professionals in engineering, software development, procurement, and operations are encouraged to:
- Review the drafts and provide input during the public consultation phase
- Start aligning internal practices with the forthcoming guidance
- Prepare for adoption and training, especially in cross-functional or regulated environments
Final Thoughts
These new drafts reflect a broader transformation in systems and software engineering—from rigid, siloed processes to adaptive, integrated, and lifecycle-aware approaches. Whether you procure digital services, manage large-scale engineering projects, or improve operational resilience, these standards offer valuable direction for navigating complexity in a modern, connected world.
Stay tuned for updates as these standards progress toward final publication, and consider how your organization can be ready to implement them.