Engineering Compliant Enterprise Systems: Architectural Constraints and Quality Practices in Regulated Industries

THE EVOLUTION OF TEST AUTOMATION IN HIGH REGULATORY CRITICALITY FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENTS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Test automation in regulated financial contexts goes beyond operational efficiency; it constitutes a risk governance mechanism that must be embedded in quality architectures from system inception.

ATeam: Governance-Aware LLM-Assisted Software Sustaining Engineering for Enterprise Systems

AI-assisted software development approaches, such as vibe coding, enable rapid code generation but lack the governance and reliability required for sustaining engineering in enterprise software. In these environments, traceability, security, technical debt management, and architectural integrity are critical for any software modification. This paper presents ATeam, a framework that facilitates AI-assisted software development through a structured and auditable maintenance process incorporating human oversight. The framework employs a multi-phase pipeline that enforces impact analysis and explicit approval gates. ATeam is evaluated on 24 sustaining engineering tasks spanning four IEEE maintenance categories, utilizing three distinct large language models (LLMs). A set of interdependent microservices is developed to assess the system. ATeam achieves an 82.5 end-to-end score. The results demonstrate that structured decomposition and governance reduce dependence on model scale, with smaller models remaining competitive with larger ones. This finding enables regulated industries to leverage AI-assisted development using on-premises models. Comparative evaluation against AutoGPT-style and unconstrained baselines reveals that ATeam achieves statistically significant improvements (Welch's $p<10^{-6})$ with large effect sizes. The evidence suggests that governance, rather than agentic execution alone, is the primary determinant of reliable enterprise software sustaining engineering.

CENTRAL ASIAN

Scientific Integrity and Innovation: A Macroprocess Model for Quality Management in Biomedical Laboratories

Biomedical research, especially when conducted in non-regulated environments, requires a quality management system that ensures traceability, scientific integrity, regulatory compliance, and institutional accountability. The lack of an effective system can lead to serious consequences such as the loss of scientific credibility, retraction of studies, and funding difficulties. However, many laboratories face challenges in structuring and applying these requirements in an integrated, continuous, and auditable manner. This article proposes a macroprocess model that organizes, operationalizes, and monitors the requirements of the WHO’s Quality Practices in Basic Biomedical Research (QPBR) Manual, adapting it to the practical/operational reality of laboratories. The model is structured into seven macroprocesses covering everything from institutional guidelines and personnel management to process digitization, data control, and results management. Each macroprocess is broken down into practical actions linked to key performance indicators and supported by a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that guides its step-by-step implementation. Operated in a digital environment (Miro), the model allows for both visual and collaborative tracking as well as evidence repository and continuous monitoring functions. In addition to serving as a technical guide, the model is a strategic tool for quality governance, promoting an organizational culture based on best practices, ethics, biosafety, and continuous improvement. It thus contributes to compliance with national standards and international guidelines while strengthening the credibility of scientific production in contexts of funding, publication, and international cooperation.

The Journal of Systems & Software

An interdisciplinary network of influencing factors is derived that makes explicit the dependencies between consistency mechanisms, organizational and technical conditions, and key agility outcomes such as responsiveness, transparency, and the realizability of development increments.

Optimizing Contractor Interface and Performance Through Service Quality Meetings: A TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Model

More than 70% of operating expenditure in the energy industry is channeled through key suppliers. Poor oversight or weak collaboration with these suppliers can result in revenue loss and operational hazards. For this reason, optimizing contractor interfaces and performance is essential in high-risk oil and gas operations, where safety, efficiency, and reliability are critical. Poorly managed interfaces often create ambiguity, scope overlap, and heightened operational risk, making structured collaboration indispensable. TotalEnergies developed a practical model leveraging Service Quality Meetings (SQM) as a strategic tool to enhance contractor collaboration and operational outcomes. The SQM framework establishes a structured platform for proactive engagement between company and contractor teams, enabling early identification of interface risks, clarification of roles, and alignment of expectations throughout the contract lifecycle. Key components include regular cross-functional meetings, standardized interface registers, and performance dashboards tracking safety, quality, and delivery metrics. Embedding SQM within contract management has delivered measurable improvements in incident prevention, schedule adherence, and overall contractor performance. Case studies from high-risk projects demonstrate reduced ambiguities, prevention of scope overlaps, and a strengthened culture of continuous improvement. The model underscores the value of disciplined interface management and collaborative problem-solving in complex, multi-contractor environments, offering actionable insights for operators seeking to mitigate operational risks and optimize contractor performance. SPE Technical Classification: Supply Chain Management and Operational ExcellenceHSE & Sustainability (08): Health, Safety, Environment, and SustainabilityManagement & Information (10): Operational Excellence and Risk Management Word Count: ~240