inspectus

Inspectus is a framework for standardizing and automating inspections in software development, data processing, and compliance workflows. It outlines how teams plan, execute, and document inspections, including evidence collection and remediation tracking. The name derives from inspectus, a Latin root meaning inspected or examined.

Origins and scope: The concept emerged in discussions about improving auditability and reproducibility of inspections across organizations. It is not tied to a single vendor and is used in theoretical and pilot contexts to explore best practices.

Architecture and data model: Inspectus defines core entities such as InspectionPlan, Findings, Evidence, Actions, and AuditTrail. An InspectionPlan specifies scope, criteria, participants, and timeline. Findings describe issues with severity levels and root-cause notes. Evidence items attach artifacts like logs, screenshots, or test results. Actions record remediation steps and owners. The AuditTrail provides a chronological record of activities.

Process and workflow: Typical workflows begin with planning, followed by evidence collection, finding validation, remediation, verification, and archival. The framework emphasizes traceability, repeatability, and integration with existing CI/CD, governance, and issue-tracking tools.

Adoption and limitations: As a conceptual tool, Inspectus informs discussions about standardization but has no universal adoption. Real-world implementations vary in scope and maturity.

See also: code inspection, static analysis, software quality assurance, audit trail, compliance management.