Before proceeding through the stages
Before proceeding through the stages of verification, validation and acceptance, a new product or system begins with a definition. In many cases, the V-model is used. We would like to explain this briefly.
At the start of every project, clear insights and objectives are established to kick off the project. Among other things, the feasibility of the project and the technical design choices are determined at this stage. Based on this, the development costs are also calculated. These choices are thoroughly examined and, following positive test and research results, finalised so that development can proceed.
The system architecture is then defined, followed by a detailed design of the product’s sub-modules. Implementation of these sub-modules is then carried out. Once implementation is complete, the testing phases follow, beginning with detailed verification of the sub-modules, followed by validation, integration and acceptance testing.
Verification, validation, integration & acceptance testing
Once the requirements, timeframe and costs have been established, development of the new product can begin. Once the necessary steps have been completed, the time will eventually come to test the new development. This testing comprises a number of phases or steps. The process begins with verification tests. These tests check whether the product has been built correctly. Does the device under test match the designs and meet the specifications? If this is the case, the validation tests can begin. These tests examine whether the objectives regarding the product’s validity and reliability have been achieved. Does the product meet the customer’s needs and requirements, as defined in advance, under various circumstances and situations?
The final acceptance test, which follows the validation test, effectively examines the business case: does the system, in a controlled field environment, deliver what the customer expects of it in order to provide the intended benefit? In other words: have all requirements been met in practice? This test must, of course, be carried out by the customer or user. It is also referred to as the UAT (User Acceptance Test).
