This SAE Standard provides a framework for the management of software reliability within system reliability requirements. It is based around the Software Reliability Plan and Software Reliability Case and emphasizes the importance of evaluating progress towards meeting software reliability requirements throughout the project life-cycle.

This document can be applied to all projects that incorporate software. This includes the integration of off the shelf (OTS) software products and custom software. OTS software sources include commercial vendors, government, and industry (e.g., reused library software). Custom software is generally newly developed software or a significant rework/upgrade of existing software that is for use with a specific application.