Provides guidance on those aspects of software life-cycle activities that have a bearing on the achievement of dependable software. The software life-cycle activities are defined in the context of software life-cycle processes. The software life-cycle activities identified can be part of a dependability programme for a system or in relation to a product containing software. Activities identified will help achieve software that is maintainable and reliable and help ensure that appropriate maintenance support will be provided. This guide can be used by suppliers, acquirers, operators, developers or maintainers of software. In addition to software and dependability specialists, the guide is intended for use by project managers, quality practitioners and other participants using or developing systems.