Verification and validation are both crucial in software testing but differ in their purpose:
- Verification: Ensures the product is built correctly according to specifications. It focuses on whether the software meets the design and requirements. It answers “Are we building the product right?” Methods include reviews, inspections, and static analysis.
- Validation: Ensures the product meets the user’s needs and requirements. It checks if the right product is built. It answers “Are we building the right product?” Methods include functional testing, system testing, and user acceptance testing.
In short, verification is about correctness, while validation is about fitness for purpose.