Verification vs Validation in Software Quality Assurance (SQA)

In Software Quality Assurance (SQA) processes, verification and validation are two important terms that are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings.

Verification

Verification is the process of evaluating whether the software is being built correctly and if it meets the specified requirements. It involves activities like reviews, inspections, and walkthroughs to check that the software meets the design specifications and standards.

Validation

Validation, on the other hand, is the process of evaluating whether the software meets the customer's needs and expectations. It involves testing the software to ensure that it functions as intended and delivers the desired results for the end-users.

Therefore, while verification focuses on ensuring that the software is built correctly, validation focuses on ensuring that the right software is built to meet the customer's needs.

Both verification and validation are crucial steps in the SQA process to ensure the quality and reliability of the software being developed.