In this blog, we are going to explain the difference between verification and validation in the software development life cycle.
Why do we need to know the difference between verification and validation in Software testing world ? Even though they sound just the same. They have different meanings depending on what you intend to do as a tester/developer in the software development and testing process.
An overview of Verification and Validation
Both verification and validation go hand in hand while solving a problem /to develop a software.There is a lot of confusion around the meaning of these two words in the software testing realm. While there are many definitions of these terms pertaining to various fields on the internet today, here we will look at these terms in the testing space and analyze both of these terms in detail.
Verification vs. Validation
Software testing is a vast field in the IT industry. It involves various methods and processes proposed to solve different software testing issues.Verification and Validation are also part of the same group in software testing. It is also known as V-Model (Verification and Validation model) in the context of SDLC and STLC.
What is Verification?
“A system which ensures that it is meeting all its specified requirements or needs at a particular its development stage.”
Verification is the process of checking that a software achieves its goal without any issues or bugs in it. It is the process to ensure whether the product that is in development is right or not. It ensures whether the developed product fulfills the requirements that we have and verification is static testing.
Verification in simple words means, “Are we building the product right?”
What is Validation?
“It is an activity which ensures that an end product user’s all requirements and expectations are met.”
Validation is the process of verifying whether the software product is up to the mark or in other words the product has high level requirements. It is the method or process of checking the validation of a product i.e. it checks if the product we are developing is the right one. It is validation of actual and expected outcome.
Validation is all about, “Are we building the right product?”
Difference Between Verification And Validation
| Key Points of Difference | VERIFICATION | VALIDATION |
| Definition | It is the process of system/software product evaluation at different development phases to figure out if it matches with all the specifications. | It is a process in which a system/software product is evaluated at the end of the development cycle to ensure it is built to meet the requirements of the stakeholder or not |
| Coding Requirement | Does not require code execution | Requires code execution |
| Method Type | It is a static in process in which all first stage documentation and file regarding the product is checked and verified , and no/ minimum coding is involved in this process of software building | It is dynamic in the process in which the real product is directly tested at its different build phases. |
| Degree of Activity | Involves Low level activities | Involves High Level activities |
| Targets | Software Application, specifications, Design, Architecture | Actual Built Product |
| Performer | Verification is done by the software testers | Verification is carried out by the software testers and developers |
| Orientation | Verification is process oriented | Validation is product oriented |
| Cost Involved | Low Cost involved | High Cost involved |
| Error Detection stage | Errors are detected right at the beginning stage of development | Errors are detected after product is built |
| Human Intervention | It is mainly performed manually | It involves coding and program execution which actively needs the computer system and humana intervention |
| Internal/ External | Verification is an internal process. | Validation is an external process. |
When To Use Verification or Validation?
These are independent procedures that should be employed together to check if the system or software is in conformity with the requirements and specifications and that it achieves its intended use. Both are important aspects of the quality management system.
It is often possible that a product goes through a pass state in the verification but fails in the validation phase. As it meets the documented requirements & specifications, however, those specifications were themselves incapable of addressing the user’s needs. Thus, it is important to carry out testing for both the types to ensure the overall quality of the product.
Verification would be used as an internal process in development, scale-up, or in production. On the other hand, validation should be used as an external process to get the acceptance of fitness from end user.
Is UAT Validation or Verification?
UAT (User Acceptance Testing) should be considered in the validation process.It is the real-world validation of the system or Software, which is done by the actual users who validate if the system is “fit for use”.
Conclusion
Verification and validation often look the same, but both the terms are different from each other in many ways. Note down that the former mainly involves verifying and reviewing activities that will lead to building the intended software whereas the latter involves performing actual testing activities accountable for developing the right product. Even though there are some differences between verification and validation, they complete each other. They should be performed together to get insights into the overall quality of the product.