CO2401 Software Development Lecture 8 Notes

CO2401: Software Development
Lecture 8

Understanding Verification and Validation
1. Verification
o Verification: "Are we building the product right?"

o It is the process of checking whether the software meets its
specified requirements.
o Ensures that the software (or its components) implements the
specified requirements accurately.
o Conducted during or at the end of the Software Development Life
Cycle (SDLC).
2. Validation
o Validation: "Are we building the right product?"

o It is the process of checking whether the software meets the needs
and expectations of the customer.
o Ensures that the software conforms to its specification and fulfills
the real needs of its users.
The Role of Verification & Validation
1. Integration in the Lifecycle
o V&V activities are integrated into every stage of the project
lifecycle, including:
 Requirements Reviews
 Design Reviews
 Code Inspections
 Testing
2. Fitness for Purpose
o The goal of V&V is to increase confidence that the system is fit for
its intended use, considering:
 User Needs & Software Functionality: How critical is the
software’s operation?
 User Expectations: Is the system reliable and user-friendly?