Verification & Validation
As part of a full-lifecycle development package, or as an independent bespoke service, we provide verification and validation engineering expertise to ensure correctness and compliance of software systems.
Verification and validation activities are conducted in adherence to the relevant industry standard, at any integrity level, including DO-178B Levels E to A and 61508 SIL 0 to 4.
Typically, a software verification plan (SVP) is developed in conjunction with the client or we work to specific instructions prescribed by an existing SVP. We have vast experience of testing processes and methodologies and an extensive range of tools.
For low level testing, or unit/module testing, tools such as AdaTEST, Cantata, LDRA TBRun and RTRT assist in the development of comprehensive test cases against test specification, ensuring the correctness and robustness of the code against the low-level design. Principles such as negative testing, boundary value analysis and equivalence class partitioning are employed as necessary to prove the software, and metrics such as statement coverage, branch coverage, condition coverage, and MC/DC, assist in the detection of unproven or possibly dead code in the module under test.
Integration testing is performed at varying levels, from software-software integration testing to hardware-software integration testing. These techniques prove the functionality against the corresponding requirements, as well as verifying the effectiveness of the software architecture. We use a range of tools to assist with this level of testing, including the modified use of unit testing tools, bespoke test harnesses and test rigs.
System or Acceptance Testing can also be performed to ensure compliance with the high level requirements of the system.
In all cases, peer reviews are conducted as necessary, ensuring the correctness and effectiveness of the testing methods employed. Additionally, traceability to the artefacts being tested and the design or requirements being proven provides confidence in the coverage of testing activities, and supports the necessary certification evidence.