In one of our previous post we have talked about software testing. There are many options totest your software, but now we have another topic related to discuss. Is software validation the same as software verification?
In https://iiseblogs.org/ words:
Validation can be described as verifying that you are building what the customer wants. Software validation is the process of ensuring that your application meets functional and non-functional requirements before coding and during development.
Verification if verifying that the product is being assembled correctly, after you have determined what you are supposed to build.
Keep in mind both concepts, the difference between validation and verification is functional. Validations is to cover all of the “requirements” of the user, and verification means “functionality” in all of thse parts.
For example, we have shown that software testing is performed in different layers, from Unit testing to Exploratory testing. In verification you guarantee that all of this parts really works appropiately before the project is “built”.
In http://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/ucm085281.htm you can find a really complete guide ofsoftware validation, actually the name of the document is:
General Principles of Software Validation; Final Guidance for Industry and FDA Staff
Some of the topics covered are:
- 4.1. Requirements
- 4.2. Defect Prevention
- 4.3. Time and Effort
- 4.4. Software Life Cycle
- 4.5. Plans
- 4.6. Procedures
- 4.7. Software Validation After a Change
- 4.8. Validation Coverage
- 4.9. Independence of Review
- 4.10. Flexibility and Responsibility
I personally read the 4.7, which I saw asone of the most important ones. Let me give you a little explanation of my thouhgs:
Think on what an application tells you there is an update available (yes an update instead on an upgrade), there are a lot of steps before developers launch this
And yes, this can be misundertood with verification doesn´t it?
The difference is that the verification in this case of validation is a subprocess.
Once you have launched an update you need to verificate it. Then you validate it.
Here are some tips to avoid confusion between validation and verification in software took from https://iiseblogs.org/2012/02/21/software-verification-and-software-validation-whats-the-difference/ :
1. Include all stakeholders in the requirements definition phase.
2. Have a strict definition of the requirements definition phase. Do not let new requirements creep in once coding begins.
3. Determine where the data must come from and go as part of the typical use of the tool. If the data interface is frequently used, include the ability to transfer the data between those applications or databases a requirement and include the testing of these data transfers in software validation.
4. Focus software validation efforts on core functions over optional enhancements if crunched for time. For example, ensuring that the new brake designs work properly is more important than checking out the new sound system. If the new sound system doesn’t work, it’s only an annoyance. If the brakes fail, your customers won’t let you take them for another ride.
5. Recognize that functional applications are a requirement, not an enhancement.
What you think about this?
