Phase 1
Phase 1 of the Trials was aimed at validating the initial working drafts developed by the SPICE Project. These Trials provided a unique opportunity for testing out the key components of the SPICE document set. In these trials the model for process management, the guidance for conducting assessments, the requirements for the rating processes and the guidance for the construction, selection and use of assessment instruments and tools have been evaluated as set out by the Phase 1 Trials Objectives. 35 trials were conducted across the world. These achieved reasonable coverage of the model for process management in a good cross-section of application domains.

Phase 2
A second phase of SPICE project user trials commenced in September 1996 and has provided further experience feedback into the development of ISO/IEC TR 15504. Several hundred assessments were conducted during this phase. The specific objectives of this phase were defined as:
• To evaluate the usability and consistency of the complete Product Set
• To evaluate the model for process management and the supporting indicators as an embodiment of fundamental practices for good software engineering and management
• To evaluate the repeatability of assessment results
• To evaluate the adequacy of the standard's Conformance requirements
• To evaluate the usability of the guidelines for Process Capability Determination
• To evaluate the usability of the guidelines for Process Improvement
• To evaluate the portability of the assessment framework to different environments
The final results of this phase of the trials were finalised in October 1998.

Phase 3
Following the publication of ISO/IEC TR 15504, the SPICE Project decided to initiate a third phase of the Trials. A key goal for this phase was to provide inputs to the forthcoming revision of the ISO/IEC TR 15504 and its publication as an International Standard. The SPICE Phase 3 Trials continued to provide an input to the standardisation project however no further work has been progressed. In March 2003, the SPICE Project formally closed. The SPICE Network has been empowered to continue with further research and analysis. The SPICE Benchmarking activity will be a new activity whereby data on assessments is collected, analysed and reported. The SPICE Benchmarking activity is expected to be launched in late 2005.