The sixth International Symposium on Development Methodology is just around the corner. Reason enough to further refine the successful format and take into account future trends. A lot of intense discussions and feedback within the programme committee has confirmed the strategic orientation of the conference; so not only the new methods themselves but also their transfer and roll-out into the development process will be discussed. In addition to technology, the human interaction is at the centre of the processes. Even the best approaches are ineffective if they cannot be implemented and actually become effective. Following the launch of disruptive technologies, we therefore have given this year’s event the subtitle „Crossing the Chasm” and extended the focus to the complete vehicle.

The optimization of development processes takes place in the context of dynamic changes. Issues such as CO2-targets and Real Driving Emissions (RDE), which must be reconciled with the conflicting demands of customer acceptance, have to be addressed methodically. How well and quickly these can be achieved is a crucial element in competitive differentiation. Considering that the diversity of concepts, vehicles and their powertrain systems will further increase in the foreseeable future, the intelligent use of simulation, test and application data will become a key topic. The challenge is remarkable, since it is essential to balance partially contradictory aspects of integration, open data and tool chains as well as usability. The effective link between simulation and test plays a key role.

The programme committee faced the particularly demanding challenge of compiling an optimized programme from the numerous proposed abstracts, as the number of development methodologies continues to rapidly increase. Model based development is thereby the focus of implementation, but it is also being challenged by new „model free” approaches for certain tasks.

In addition the major challenges that have to be met, global development cooperation, is addressed in international papers. Just as the development has to be shaped increasingly across different domains – connectivity is just one example – the composition of the contributors is also a key success factor. Numerous OEMs are present – AMG, BMW, CNH, Daimler, Ducati, GM, JLR, Tata and Volkswagen – as well as major suppliers such as Bosch, Continental and Schaeffler. Other participants include leading engineering service providers together with international and German universities.

Therefore this event provides a forum in which specialists and decision makers from the different areas of technology and management can discuss the state of the art and can establish a foundation for future orientation. This time the interests of the engineers responsible for the vehicle application field are addressed in addition to those of the regular participants.

One traditional event can already be announced: there will be an exciting social programme as well – an ideal forum for intensive discussions and the exchange of ideas. I am sure that within the scope of the symposium many crucial topics will be addressed and I will be pleased to welcome you in Wiesbaden in November.