What is the difference between verification and validation in testing?

What is the difference between verification and validation in testing?

• A. Verification ensures the product meets user needs; validation ensures design outputs meet inputs.
• B. Validation checks that design outputs meet inputs; verification checks that the product fulfills user needs.
• C. Verification is for hardware; validation is for software.
• D. Verification and validation are the same process.

Answer: (B)

Verification checks that the design outputs meet the inputs (requirements and specifications), ensuring we’re building the product right. It focuses on conformance to the plan, often through reviews, inspections, and tests that compare actual results to expected results.

Validation checks that the final product meets user needs and is fit for its intended purpose, ensuring we’re building the right product. This is typically demonstrated through system testing and user acceptance testing in real-world conditions.

An easy way to remember it is: verification answers “Are we following the plan and building the product right?” whereas validation answers “Are we delivering what users actually need and will use?” The idea that validation covers design-output checks and verification covers user needs is a mix-up of the two roles.