V&V-Verification vs Validation

This is one topic which most software professionals confuse themselves about, so let me attempt to make their lives easier by writing it down

Verification is a Quality Control processes whereas Validation is a Quality Assurance Process

IEEE Definitions

Verification
"Confirmation by examination and provisions of objective evidence that specified requirements have been fulfilled."

Validation
"Confirmation by examination and provisions of objective evidence that the particular requirements for a specific intended use are fulfilled."


At each and every stage of the development TESTERS constantly VERIFY that the product that is being built is confirming to the laid down specification. Meaning Did we Building the Product Right

Upon shipping the Product the end user uses the Product(that confirms to all specifications) and confirm if it can be used for the intended purpose. Are we Building the Right product

I know people not everyone out there are happy and you are like “Oh! Whatever”

Time to get into an example

So here’s the deal Pavan wanted to build a 25 storied building and provided his detailed requirements including floor plans, flooring, type of appliances he need in each floor, purpose of each floor, amenities needed and off course not to forget the Pricing constraints

Construction started and at each and every phase the engineers inspected the quality of the construction and if the built up structure was matching the requirement asked for. Perfect verification done!

Finally after the completion of construction Pavan turned up and validated the built up building, everything seemed in line to what he asked for, well almost just that the building now started to look inclined at 85 degrees.

Intention of Pavan off course was to live in this constructed building, a 25 storied building was not supposed to have been built in the location that they built due to the soil condition SO THEY BUILT THE WRONG PRODUCT WHICH MEETS ALL SPECIFICATIONS. Here in this example the specifications are not correct in the first place.