4.3.16. Validation Process
4.3.16. Validation Process
Validation provides objective evidence that the capability provided by the system complies with stakeholder performance requirements, achieving its use in its intended operational environment. Validation answers the question, “Is it the right solution to the problem?” Validation consists of evaluating the operational effectiveness, operational suitability, sustainability, and survivability of the system or system elements under operationally realistic conditions.
The Program Manager and Systems Engineer are responsible for supporting the Validation process. The execution of the Validation process is typically conducted by independent testers as documented in the Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP). System end users and other stakeholders are typically involved in validation activities. Guidance for managing and coordinating integrated testing activities can be found in DAG Chapter 9 Test and Evaluation and DoDI 5000.02. Using and engaging integrated test teams, composed of knowledgeable and experienced Government and industry developmental and operational testers, bring different perspectives and allow for an efficient use of resources.
Validation activities can be conducted in the intended operational environment or on an approved simulated environment. Early program-validation activities assist in the production of validated concept of operations (CONOPS), system performance specifications, use cases, functional and physical system architectures, and test cases. Validation is applied to the initial product baseline to ensure the emerging design meets the end-user needs. Models, simulations, mockups, and prototypes may be used in these early activities. They are often combined with the verification activities (see DAG section 4.3.15. Verification Process). Aggressive early validation significantly mitigates the risk to the program by identifying operational issues up front when they are easier and less costly to fix. This ultimately improves system performance during the final validation activity (e.g., operational test and evaluation (OT&E)).
Final validation involves operational testing on a production-representative system in an operationally realistic environment. The product of the Validation process is a validated system and enabling system elements, leading to approval for Full-Rate Production (FRP) and/or a Full Deployment (FD) Decision Review (DR).
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