Validate
Putting the team’s ideas to test in order to determine if the right system was built and to determine if the system was built correctly.
Validation is an overarching term used here to describe both Validation and Verification. Validation ensures that the user’s expectations and needs are met while Verification proves that the specified requirements are met [1]. After the system is validated and verified, it is shown to the stakeholders in order to receive their approval. The tests implemented during this section of the design process must be repeated to ensure the accuracy of the results [2]. The goal of the validation and verification process is to fill out a specifications sheet that lists the technical capabilities for the device.
The first category within validation and verification is human feedback. Here the design is taken to the users and stakeholders. The team should hope to achieve new insight or constructive criticism as people interact with their product.
Human Feedback VIX Activities
Prototype Testing VIX Activities
All Validation Activities
stakeholder validation
Set up some meetings with stakeholders and see what they say. Try to evaluate their honest opinions and see how you can build off their suggestions.
Feature testing
Evaluate how well your solution works, how long it works, under what conditions it performs best.
Business Plan
Generate a business plan to bring your idea to a greater audience. Evaluate how your idea might create a sustainable business.
Cost function & optimize
Your prototype isn’t ready to ship just yet. Try to optimize the performance, materials, and cost by substituting materials.
Replication
You can’t just work with a single result. Replicate your findings and expand your number of samples to gain significance.
Test outside of training
You can train for a set of problems, but real testing is done in the field. Trial your ideas in a real-world scenario.
compare alternate approach
Head to Head Matchup! See how your solution really stacks up against the competition.
*validated MVP
Evaluate how well your solution works, how long it works, under what conditions it performs best.
*These activities are highly recommended.
Sources:
[1] Marasco, C. and Ivanova, Y. 2019. Validation. Unpublished manuscript, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
[2] Hemingway, G. 2018. Validation and Verification. Unpublished manuscript, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.