High-integrity systems are used across all industries and in some of the most demanding situations imaginable. They are designed with a strong focus on the safety and security of organisations and people. These systems are becoming more complex and sophisticated.

Traditionally, high-integrity systems are developed using the classic waterfall approach as defined by many industry standards, such as MIL-STD-498, IEEE/EIA 12207, IEC 61508, EN 50126/8/9 and DO-178. However, agile methodologies would make it possible to integrate user feedback while the system was being developed, tackling the issues raised in the Deloitte study. The question is whether adopting agile methodologies would jeopardise the certification process.