Episode 21 (English) - STPA in practice and SAE J3187 - with Mark A. Vernacchia

Safety Corner

Mark A. Vernacchia is a GM Technical Fellow and is the Principal System Safety Engineer for all GM propulsion systems worldwide. Mark received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and an MS in Engineering Sciences from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He has been listed on 24 control system based patents as an inventor. Mark is a Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan and is recognized as an Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP) by the International Council of Systems Engineers (INCOSE).

In this episode, Mark talked about SAE J3187, a recommended practice for evaluations of automotive related safety-critical systems using the system-theoretic process analysis STPA. Goal of this document is to provide both educational materials and lessons-learned gained by STPA practitioners. Further, Mark talked about his experiences using STPA and being a task force leader developing the recommened practice.

There will be a major update of SAE J3187 in the first quarter of 2023.

Additional sources of information and links mentioned in the podcast:

• For info about STAMP and the next STAMP workshop go to: PSAS website
• A list of presentations by Mark on STPA can be found here: Vernacchia STPA presentations
• The STPA-handbook can be found here: STPA-handbook
• You may reach out to Mark A. Vernacchia via email: firstname.a.lastname [a] gm.com (replace firstname and lastname by, ail address is not pasted directly to avoid spam mails)