FAQ's on Software Testing - 2

What is Verification? Validation?

Verification typically involves reviews and meetings to evaluate documents,plans,code,requirements,and specifications.This can be done with checklists,issues lists,Walkthroughs,and inspection meetings.
Validation typically involves actual testing and takes place after verifications are completed.The term 'IV & V' refers to independent Verification and Validation.

What is 'Walkthrough'?

A 'Walkthrough' is an informal meeting for evaluation yr informational purposes.Little or no preparation is usually required.

What is an 'inspection'?

An inspection is more formalized than a 'Walkthrough',typically with 3-8 people including a moderator,reader,and a recorder to take notes.The subject of the inspection is typically a document such as a requirements spec or a test plan,and the purpose is to find problems and see whats missing,not to fix anything.Attendees should prepare for this type of meeting by reading thru the document; most problems will be found during this preparation.The result of the inspection meeting should be a written report.Thorough preparation for inspections is difficult,painstaking work,but is one of the most cost effective methods of ensuring quality.Employees who are most skilled at inspections are like the 'eldest brother' in the parable in 'why is it often hard for organizations to get serious about quality assurance?'.Their skill may have low visibility but they are extremely valuable to any software development organization,since bug prevention is far more cost-effective than bug detection.