Explorer

Content

Verification and Validation (V&V)

What is Verification ?

Verification asks: “ did we build the system right? ” It confirms that the characteristics and behaviour of an equipment or system comply with the requirements specified in the System Requirements Document (SRD).

Verification also provides the information required to guide remedial action to correct shortcomings in the equipment or system.

The satisfaction arguments of each individual candidate system requirement must be verifiable.

Verification generates the evidence that informs and enables authorisation of Contract Acceptance and System Acceptance.

Progressive verification describes the practice of performing interim activities throughout the project lifecycle. It minimises the impact of any required remedial action, and gives the customer early and increasing confidence about the achievement of performance (and thereby indirectly cost and schedule) expectations.

What is Validation ?

Validation asks: “ did we build the right system?” It generates objective evidence that the capability enabled by the equipment or system satisfies the needs defined in the User Requirements Document. It is dependant on identifying the correct validation criteria and effectiveness envelop at requirements capture stage.

Validation generates the evidence that informs and enables authorisation of In-Service Date (ISD).

The satisfaction arguments of every individual candidate user requirement must be testable.

Why is Verification and Validation important ?

Confidence	The customer must be confident that requirements will be satisfied. Verification ensures that confidence is based on objective evidence, not verbal assurance from suppliers. Both Customer and Suppliers need to be confident that expectations are being interpreted correctly. Progressive Verification will give both Customer and Suppliers that confidence.
Capability	Capability (as distinct from performance) can be difficult to measure. A formal verification and validation programme ensures that this challenge is properly managed, exploiting operational analysis where appropriate.
Safety and Security	A formal verification and validation programme helps to ensure that confidence in equipment or system safety and security is achieved.
Cost and Schedule	Remedial action is expensive, and delays ISD acceptance. A planned verification programme will expose shortcomings as early as possible, minimising the cost of: remedial action associated delays operational impact avoid excessive testing.
Risk	Progressive testing is a potential mitigation method to provide early confidence. Test and Evaluation can be used to identify and quantify risks and to mitigate operational and technical risks.

Change History