v4 Study Guide – Chapter 4.11 – Validation

Exam Essentials:

  1. Validation (like verification) can be applied to almost anything (a requirement, a function, a system element, etc.).
  2. Note the reappearance of Stakeholder requirements as an Input.
  3. Validation planning begins early.
  4. Validation Action (a noun, not a verb)
  5. The 7 Validation Techniques (the same as verification, but with a focus on operational capability)
  6. Acceptance, Certification, Readiness for Use, Qualification

4.11.1.2 Description

This section emphasizes two things:

  1. Validation can be applied to almost anything.
  2. Validation planning starts as soon as the first stakeholder requirements or scenarios are identified.

 

4.11.2.1 Notion of Validation Action

This is very similar to the Verification Action we encountered in the previous chapter. Take a moment and compare Figures 4.14 & 4.18.

Notice that the Comparison in Verification is for “Correctness” and in Validation it is for “Conformance”. Also, you can see another level is added in the Validation Action to account for uncertainty.

 

4.11.2.2 Validation Techniques

These are identical to the 7 Verification Techniques. Success is defined differently. In Validation, the techniques are used to determine the ability of the system to fulfill its mission rather than compliance with system requirements.

 

4.11.2.3 Validation, Operational Validation, Acceptance, and Certification

Validation is the broader term. Operational validation contributes to system validation. It takes a bit of careful reading to tease out this conclusion. The Handbook states “It is obtained gradually throughout the development stage by pursuing several nonexclusive ways: “

 

The “It” the Handbook is referring to is Validation.  Operational validation is one of the three bullet points listed as “nonexclusive ways”.

 

Acceptance, Certification, Readiness for Use, Qualification

Of these four, Certification is most different because it “is typically performed by outside authorities, without direction as to how the requirements are to be verified”.

 

Also, notice how Readiness for Use is applied following field maintenance.

 

Qualification appears to be the most extensive of the four, but notice “… qualification is concluded by an acceptance review and/or operational readiness review.”