Differences between Verification and Validation

Verification and Validation

is the process of investigating whether a software system satisfies specifications and standards
and fulfills the required purpose. In this article, we will learn the difference between Verification
and Validation.

What is Verification?
Verification is the process of checking that software achieves its goal without any bugs. It is the
process to ensure whether the product that is developed is right or not. It verifies whether the
developed product fulfills the requirements that we have. Verification is static testing.
Verification means Are we building the product right?
What is Validation?
Validation is the process of checking whether the software product is up to the mark or in other
words product has high level requirements. It is the process of checking the validation of product
i.e. it checks what we are developing is the right product. it is validation of actual and expected
product. Validation is the dynamic testing.
Validation means Are we building the right product?
Differences between Verification and Validation
Verification Validation

It includes checking documents, design, codes

It includes testing and validating the actual product.
and programs.

Verification is the static testing. Validation is the dynamic testing.

It does not include the execution of the code. It includes the execution of the code.

Methods used in verification are reviews, Methods used in validation are Black Box Testing,
walkthroughs, inspections and desk-checking. White Box Testing and non-functional testing.

It checks whether the software conforms to It checks whether the software meets the requirements
specifications or not. and expectations of a customer or not.

It can find the bugs in the early stage of the It can only find the bugs that could not be found by the
development. verification process.

The goal of verification is application and The goal of validation is an actual product.
 Verification Validation

software architecture and specification.

Validation is executed on software code with the help of

Quality assurance team does verification.
testing team.

It comes before validation. It comes after verification.

It consists of checking of documents/files and is It consists of execution of program and is performed by

performed by human. computer.

Verification refers to the set of activities that Validation refers to the set of activities that ensure that
ensure software correctly implements the the software that has been built is traceable to
specific function. customer requirements.

After a valid and complete specification the

Validation begins as soon as project starts.
verification starts.

Verification is for prevention of errors. Validation is for detection of errors.

Verification is also termed as white box testing

Validation can be termed as black box testing or
or static testing as work product goes through
dynamic testing as work product is executed.
reviews.

Verification finds about 50 to 60% of the defects. Validation finds about 20 to 30% of the defects.

Verification is based on the opinion of reviewer

Validation is based on the fact and is often stable.
and may change from person to person.

Verification is about process, standard and

Validation is about the product.
guideline.
What is software evaluation?
Software evaluation determines a software application or system’s quality, usability, and
effectiveness.

It is an important step in the software development process because it determines whether the
software meets the required standards and specifications and is fit for its intended purpose.

Reviewing the software design, testing the software for functionality and performance, and
evaluating the software documentation are all part of the software evaluation process. Software
developers, testers, or external evaluators can carry out the evaluation.

Software evaluation is a time-consuming process. In many cases, speaking with vendors and
weighing each option takes significant time.

Why is software evaluation important?

Software evaluation is an important step in the software development process because it determines
whether the software meets the required standards and specifications and whether it is suitable for
its intended purpose. Let’s find out some key importance of it:

 Quality assurance

It is important for quality assurance. By evaluating software, potential problems can be found and
fixed early on in the development process. This can help to reduce the number of defects, bugs, and
errors in the software. This can save time and money in the long run and improve the software’s
overall quality.

 User satisfaction

Software evaluation is critical for user satisfaction. It is possible to determine whether the software
meets the needs of its intended users by evaluating it from the user’s perspective. This can help to
increase user satisfaction and decrease user frustration with the software.

 Cost-effectiveness

It is essential for determining cost-effectiveness. Software evaluation allows for identifying and
resolving potential problems before they arise. This can save time and money by reducing the need
for costly rework or redesign in the future.

 Continuous improvement
Evaluating software can provide useful feedback for future software releases. This can help ensure
that the software remains up-to-date, meets the changing needs of users, and remains competitive in
the market.

Who Should Be Involved in A Software Evaluation?

The process of evaluating software is complicated and will involve a lot of people, such as:

 Stakeholders, including the decision-maker:

These individuals will be crucial in keeping the evaluation on track.

 The people who will use the product

These individuals can provide feedback on whether the software is practical for daily use.
Adoption will be more difficult if the software is complex or difficult to use.

 IT and security team

These people can figure out how the software will work technically.

Those who are part of the evaluation process will need to work together to determine if the
software is feasible or useful. How big the evaluation team is will depend a lot on the
organization’s size and what kind of software is being evaluated.

The evaluation process should be the team’s main focus. The evaluation can start once a team is
established.