TRW Earns Coveted Software Process Development Recognition.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 6, 1997-- TRW has achieved a significant software process development recognition that officially confirms that the company is effectively developing its software.

An independent, authorized auditor has certified TRW's Avionics Systems Division (ASD) "Level 3," according to the software development criteria established by the Software Engineering Institute's (SEI) Software Capability Maturity Model (SW-CMM).

This Level 3 assessment requires that the software development processes for both management and engineering activities be documented, standardized and integrated into a standard process for the entire organization. The assessment is an important one in the defense contracting industry and illustrates the constant goal of lowering production costs and improving efficiency.

"This recognition confirms that TRW has developed, and is using, an effective software development process," said ASD's Software Engineering Process Group chairman, Dennis Sass. "There are many benefits to improving our software development procedures, including lowering software development costs, creating more predictable cost and schedule estimates, less rework, and minimized software development risk."

In addition to TRW's San Diego facility, TRW sites at Dayton, Ohio, and Warner Robins, Ga., were also certified Level 3. "This accomplishment is the result of the leadership of our Software Engineering Process Group and the commitment of our people toward software development excellence," said Roy Adams, vice president and general manager of TRW's Avionics Systems Division.

SEI's SW-CMM provides a framework for organizing software development steps into five maturity levels that lay successive foundations for continuous improvement. These five levels define a scale for measuring the maturity of an organization's software process capability. The levels furthermore help an organization prioritize improvement efforts.

Level 1, the initial level, provides a starting point for improvement. Level 2 defines a repeatable process for software development. Level 3 is characterized by a defined software development process. Levels 4 and 5 establish managed and optimized software development practices, respectively.

With Level 3 capability maturity, management and engineering activities are documented, standardized and integrated into an organizationwide software process.

All projects use a documented and approved version of the organization's process for developing and maintaining software. Level 3 defines other areas of the software development process, including organization process focus, training, integrated software management, software product engineering, intergroup coordination and peer reviews.

TRW is a leader in avionics systems, software support systems, space systems, spaceborne electronic subsystems and other advanced technologies for national security and civil space. Cleveland-based TRW Inc. provides advanced technology products and services for the automotive and space and defense markets worldwide. The company's 1996 sales totaled approximately $10 billion.

CONTACT: TRW, San Diego

Rob Jensen, 619/592-3736