Engineering

The assumption is that anyone who is investigating the use of DO-178C is actually using an engineering approach.  Any engineer will require plans before they start to reflect what it is that they are intending to do.  It is difficult and hence costly to try to plug holes retrospectively.  It is also a good idea to actually read the document before starting, gain a good understanding of the applicability to the project and then to use it to effect a streamlined development.  It expects that methods, tools, etc should be selected to limit the opportunity for introducing errors and to choose verification techniques that ensure that errors can be detected.  This is often overlooked by developers.  Furthermore, standards that apply to requirements and design as well as code should be developed and there should be verification techniques to assure that these have been complied with.  Again, often overlooked.