Verification and validation in the software testing process | #6 First steps in software testing

Verification and validation are commonly used terms in software testing, but they are frequently confused with each other. This is due to unclear definitions, various interpretations in the labor market and the use of these terms interchangeably in different contexts. What are the fundamental differences between verification and validation? Read our article and find out.

Verification and validation in the software testing process – table of contents:

1. What is verification in software testing?
2. What is validation in software testing?
3. Features of the validation process
4. Features of the verification process
5. Key differences between verification and validation

What is verification in software testing?

Verification in software testing is the process of checking documents, design, code and program to control whether the software has been built according to requirements. The primary role of the verification system is to guarantee the quality of the application, architecture, design, etc. As part of the software verification process, activities such as reviews here are undertaken.

What is validation in software testing?

Validation in software testing is an effective mechanism for testing and verifying that software adequately meets customer needs. Thanks to this mechanism, it is possible to assess whether the software fulfills its purpose in a suitable environment. During the validation process, activities such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing and user acceptance testing can be performed.

Features of the validation process

The main features of the validation process are as follows:

• it is a dynamic mechanism for testing and validating the actual product
• it always involves code execution
• it uses methods such as black-box testing, white-box testing, and non-functional testing
• it can detect bugs, failures and other inaccuracies that the verification process cannot catch
• the target is the actual product
• it is performed with the help of a qualified team of testers
• checks if the software meets the customer’s requirements and expectations
• follows verification

Features of the verification process

The main features of the verification process include:

• inspecting documents, design, code and program
• it does not require code execution
• checks if software conforms to specifications
• finds errors early in the development cycle
• the target area here is the application and software architecture, complete design, specification, high-level design, and databases
• it is carried out by the QA team, which makes sure that the software complies with the requirements in the SRS document
• it uses methods such as instruction, reviews, inspections, and document checking
• verification happens before validation

Key differences between verification and validation

During the verification process, documents, code, design and program are checked, while validation is already based on testing and validation of the real product.Verification does not involve code execution, while validation does.

Verification uses methods such as reviews, guides, inspections while validation uses methods such as black-box testing, white-box testing and non-functional testing. It checks that the software conforms to the specification, while validation checks that the software meets user requirements and expectations.

Verification focuses on finding errors early in the development cycle, while validation concentrates on identifying errors that verification cannot catch.

Comparing the validation and verification in software testing, it can be said that the verification process is about the software architecture, design and database while the validation process is about the actual software product.

Verification is carried out by the QA team, while validation is done by the testing team with the QA team. The verification process occurs before the validation process.To sum up, validation and verification are processes that differ significantly from each other.

The former includes all forms of testing, which determine whether the system meets the customer’s expectations, while verification determines whether the system works properly, according to functional and non-functional requirements. The verification process always precedes the validation process.

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