Verification, Validation, and Testing of Engineered Systems

3.2 VVT ACTIVITIES DURING PRODUCTION

The purpose of the system Production phase is to reproduce the completed system in appropriate quantities. VVT activities during the system Production phase intend to verify the quality of the incoming material components and subsystems, validate the production process and perform ongoing product quality control (illustrated in Figure 3.1). The following sections define specific VVT activities that are appropriate for the system Production phase.

Figure 3.1 Assembly line testing: comparing products to specifications.

3.2.1 Participate in Functional Configuration Audit (FCA)

Objective

The objective of the Functional Configuration Audit (FCA) is to formally validate that the development of Configuration Items (CIs) as well as the completed operation and support documents has been completed satisfactorily and that each CI has achieved the performance and functional characteristics specified in the functional or allocated configuration identification.

Description

This description is based on Section 70 (FCA) of MIL-STD-1521 (now withdrawn) and various National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) documents. A FCA verifies that each CI (e.g., component, subsystem or system) meets all the functional requirements, including performance reliability and the like. The FCA embodies a review of the item’s performance to ensure it meets the specification ...