Verification, Validation, and Testing of Engineered Systems

1.1 OPENING

This chapter serves as motivation for learning about systems Verification, Validation and Testing (VVT) as well as a map for using the book as a reference source on this complex and multifaceted process. We emphasize here the multitude of reasons for applying VVT. It sets the tone for the subject matter we hope to cover. It gives the reader insight into the attitudes of the author and the care with which the book was prepared. A clear statement is made of the purpose for which the book has been written.

The book is a compendium of facts about systems VVT. In fact, we think little has yet been published that is as comprehensive on this subject. By listing the potential audience for the book, we hope to encourage its wide distribution and to increase among engineers, managers, academicians and students an appreciation of the benefits of rigorously applying VVT to almost every endeavor involving a product or service, be it for purposes commercial, private or public. This chapter contains the following elements:

Opening. This part provides a background, purpose and the intended audience of the book. In addition, it describes its structure and contents as well as the scope of application and some terminology descriptions.

VVT systems and process. This part introduces VVT systems and processes as components of engineered systems. In addition, it describes basic VVT definitions and elaborates on the fundamental VVT dilemmas. Also, this part describes modeling of systems and ...