Software verification and validation

Verification and validation is the generic name given to checking processes which ensure that the software conforms to its specification and meets the needs of the customer.The system should be verified and validated at each stage of the software development process using documents produced in earlier stages. Verification and validation thus starts with requirements reviews and continues through design and code reviews to product testing.Verification and validation are sometimes confused, but they are different activities (SQA, n.d.).

The difference between the two can be summarised as follows:

  • Validation: Are we building the right product?
  • Verification: Are we building the product right?
Criteria Verification Validation
Definition The process of evaluating work-products (not the actual final product) of a development phase to determine whether they meet the specified requirements for that phase. The process of evaluating software during or at the end of the development process to determine whether it satisfies specified business requirements.
Objective To ensure that the product is being built according to the requirements and design specifications. In other words, to ensure that work products meet their specified requirements. To ensure that the product actually meets the user’s needs, and that the specifications were correct in the first place. In other words, to demonstrate that the product fulfills its intended use when placed in its intended environment.
Question Are we building the product right? Are we building the right product?
Evaluation Items Plans, Requirement Specs, Design Specs, Code, Test Cases The actual product/software.
Activities
  • Reviews
  • Walkthroughs
  • Inspections
  • Testing

(STF, n.d.)

Every testing execution should follow some sequence and V Model is the perfect way to perform the testing approaches. In V Model there are some steps or sequences specified which should be followed during performing test approach. Once one step completes we should

models_1
to the next step. Test execution sequences are followed in V shape. In software development life cycle, V Model testing should start at the beginning of the project when requirement analysis starts. In V Model project development and testing should go parallel. Verification phase should be carried out from Software Testing Life Cycle where validation phase should be carried out from STLC (Naveen, n.d.).models_1

 

Refereneces

Naveen. (n.d.). What is V Model in software testing and what are advantages and disadvantages of V Model. Testingfreak. Retrieved from: http://testingfreak.com/v-model-software-testing-advantages-disadvantages-v-model/

SQA. (n.d.). Verification and Validation. Outcome 3: Test the Completed Product. Retrieved from: http://www.sqa.org.uk/e-learning/SDPL03CD/page_16.htm

STF. (n.d.). Verification vs Validation. Software Testing Fundamentals. Retrieved from: http://softwaretestingfundamentals.com/verification-vs-validation/