Project: Creation of safety certification for high-voltage battery systems in the OEM environment
Customer: RIMAC Technologies
Timeframe: March 2024 – January 2025
Role: External Functional Safety Professional & Mediator
In this highly critical project, I was hired as an external expert to act as a mediator between the development team at RIMAC Technologies and a leading South German automotive manufacturer (OEM). The focus was on validating the safety concept for innovative high-voltage battery systems and creating a common understanding between the parties.
My core responsibilities and results:
- Methodical management of root cause analysis: I led and supported a highly specialized team of system engineers in an in-depth, systematic root cause analysis. My main contribution was to provide and moderate the methodology for recording complex technical relationships in a structured manner. The entire process was mapped transparently and comprehensively in JIRA and CONFLUENCE, while MIRO was used for collaborative brainstorming and visualization workshops.
- Introduction of new tools and implementation of fault tree analysis (FTA): In order to formally verify the completeness, correctness, and required safety level of the concept, I evaluated and established the special tool ArbreAnalyst. I then personally carried out the final, comprehensive fault tree analysis (FTA), thereby providing a central building block for the safety case argumentation to the OEM.
- Competence development and knowledge management: In order to strengthen internal competence at RIMAC in the long term, I designed and conducted practice-oriented training courses on FTA methodology for all system engineers involved. This ensured that the team would be able to carry out future safety analyses independently at the highest level.
- Mediation and stakeholder management: As a neutral mediator, I acted as a central communication bridge between RIMAC's technical experts and the demanding requirements of the OEM. I translated technical details into understandable safety arguments and contributed significantly to creating a trusting and productive working atmosphere.
Project impact:
Thanks to my methodical leadership, the introduction of modern tools, and my mediating role, a watertight safety case for the HV battery system was produced that met the strict criteria of the German OEM. At the same time, the internal process and methodological competence of the RIMAC team was strengthened in the long term, ensuring the efficiency and quality of future safety projects.
