Software Design for Six Sigma: A Roadmap for Excellence

Chapter 19. SOFTWARE DESIGN VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION

INTRODUCTION

The final aspect of DFSS methodology that differentiates it from the prevalent "launch and learn" method is design verification and design validation. This chapter covers in detail the Verify/Validate phase of the Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), (Identify, conceptualize, optimize, and verify/validate [ICOV]) project road map (Figure 11.1). Design verification, process validation, and design validation help identify the unintended consequences and effects of software, develop plans, and reduce risk for full-scale commercialization to all stakeholders, including all customer segments.

At this final stage before the release stage, we want to verify that software product performance is capable of achieving the requirements specified, and we also want to validate that it met the expectations of customers and stakeholders at Six Sigma performance levels. We need to accomplish this assessment in a low-risk, cost-effective manner. This chapter will cover the software relevant aspects of DFSS design verification and design validation.

Software companies still are finding it somewhat difficult to meet the requirements of both verification and validation activities. Some still confound both processes today and are struggling to distinguish between them. Many literatures do not prescribe how companies should conduct software verification and validation activities because so many ways to go about it were accumulated through mechanisms ...