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Verification vs Validation in Software: Overview & Key
Differences
Written by Catie Leary | Dec 16, 2021 6:15:00 PM

Verification vs Validation: Definitions

Software testing is a process of examining the functionality and behavior of
the software through verification and validation.
 Verification is a process of determining if the software is designed and
developed as per the specified requirements.
  Validation is the process of checking if the software (end product) has
met the client’s true needs and expectations.

Software testing is incomplete until it undergoes verification and validation

processes. Verification and validation are the main elements of software
testing workflow because they:
1. Ensure that the end product meets the design requirements.
2. Reduce the chances of defects and product failure.
3. Ensures that the product meets the quality standards and expectations
of all stakeholders involved.
Most people confuse verification and validation; some use them
interchangeably. People often mistake verification and validation because of a
lack of knowledge on the purposes they fulfill and the pain points they
address.
The software testing industry is estimated to grow from $40 billion in 2020 to
$60 billion in 2027. Considering the steady growth of the software testing
industry, we put together a guide that provides an in-depth explanation behind
verification and validation and the main differences between these two
processes.
Verification
As mentioned, verification is the process of determining if the software in
question is designed and developed according to specified requirements.
Specifications act as inputs for the software development process. The code
for any software application is written based on the specifications document.
Verification is done to check if the software being developed has adhered to
these specifications at every stage of the development life cycle. The
verification ensures that the code logic is in line with specifications.
Depending on the complexity and scope of the software application, the
software testing team uses different methods of verification, including
inspection, code reviews, technical reviews, and walkthroughs. Software
testing teams may also use mathematical models and calculations to make
predictive statements about the software and verify its code logic.
Further, verification checks if the software team is building the product right.
Verification is a continuous process that begins well in advance of validation
processes and runs until the software application is validated and released.
The main advantages of the verification are:
1. It acts as a quality gateway at every stage of the software development
process.
 2. It enables software teams to develop products that meet design
specifications and customer needs.
3. It saves time by detecting the defects at the early stage of software
development.
4. It reduces or eliminates defects that may arise at the later stage of the
software development process.
A walkthrough of verification of a mobile application
There are three phases in the verification testing of a mobile application
development:
1. Requirements Verification
2. Design Verification
3. Code Verification
Requirements verification is the process of verifying and confirming that the
requirements are complete, clear, and correct. Before the mobile application
goes for design, the testing team verifies business requirements or customer
requirements for their correctness and completeness.
Design verification is a process of checking if the design of the software
meets the design specifications by providing evidence. Here, the testing team
checks if layouts, prototypes, navigational charts, architectural designs, and
database logical models of the mobile application meet the functional and
non-functional requirements specifications.
Code verification is a process of checking the code for its completeness,
correctness, and consistency. Here, the testing team checks if construction
artifacts such as source code, user interfaces, and database physical model
of the mobile application meet the design specification.
Validation
Validation is often conducted after the completion of the entire software
development process. It checks if the client gets the product they are
expecting. Validation focuses only on the output; it does not concern itself
about the internal processes and technical intricacies of the development
process.
Validation helps to determine if the software team has built the right product.
Validation is a one-time process that starts only after verifications are
completed. Software teams often use a wide range of validation methods,
including White Box Testing (non-functional testing or structural/design
testing) and Black Box Testing (functional testing).
White Box Testing is a method that helps validate the software application
using a predefined series of inputs and data. Here, testers just compare the
output values against the input values to verify if the application is producing
output as specified by the requirements.
There are three vital variables in the Black Box Testing method (input values,
output values, and expected output values). This method is used to verify if
the actual output of the software meets the anticipated or expected output.
The main advantages of validation processes are:
1. It ensures that the expectations of all stakeholders are fulfilled.
2. It enables software teams to take corrective action if there is a mismatch
between the actual product and the anticipated product.
3. It improves the reliability of the end-product.
A walkthrough of validation of a mobile application
Validation emphasizes checking the functionality, usability, and performance
of the mobile application.
Functionality testing checks if the mobile application is working as expected.
For instance, while testing the functionality of a ticket-booking application, the
testing team tries to validate it through:
1. Installing, running, and updating the application from distribution
channels like Google Play and the App Store
2. Booking tickets in the real-time environment (fields testing)
3. Interruptions testing
Usability testing checks if the application offers a convenient browsing
experience. User interface and navigations are validated based on various
criteria which include satisfaction, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Performance testing enables testers to validate the application by checking
its reaction and speed under the specific workload. Software testing teams
often use techniques such as load testing, stress testing, and volume testing
to validate the performance of the mobile application.

Main differences between verification and validation

Verification and validation, while similar, are not the same. There are several
notable differences between these two. Here is a chart that identifies the
differences between verification and validation:
Verification Validation
It is a process of checking if a It is a process of ensuring that the product
Definition product is developed as per the meets the needs and expectations of
specifications. stakeholders.
It tests the requirements,
What it tests or It tests the usability, functionalities, and
architecture, design, and code of
checks for reliability of the end product.
the software product.
Coding It does not require executing the It emphasizes executing the code to test the
requirement code. usability and functionality of the end product.
Activities A few activities involved in The commonly-used validation activities in
 verification testing are
software testing are usability testing,
requirements verification, design
include performance testing, system testing, security
verification, and code
testing, and functionality testing.
verification.
Types of A few verification methods are A few widely-used validation methods are
testing inspection, code review, desk- black box testing, white box testing,
methods checking, and walkthroughs. integration testing, and acceptance testing.
Teams or The quality assurance (QA) team The software testing team along with the QA
persons would be engaged in the team would be engaged in the validation
involved verification process. process.
It targets internal aspects such as
It targets the end product that is ready to be
Target of test requirements, design, software
deployed.
architecture, database, and code.

Verification and validation are an integral part of software engineering.

Without rigorous verification and validation, a software team may not be able
to build a product that meets the expectations of stakeholders. Verification
and validation help reduce the chances of product failure and improve the
reliability of the end product.

Different project management and software development methods use

verification and validation in different ways. For instance, both verification and
validation happen simultaneously in agile development methodology due to
the need for continuous refinement of the system based on the end-user
feedback.
Testers can use automation tools developed with low code development to
streamline the processes of verification and validation. Contact us today to
discover how BP Logix's workflow automation platform, Process Director, can
help automate your software testing process.

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