What is the difference between verification and validation?
Verification is confirmation by examination and through provision of objective evidence that specified requirements have been fulfilled - it checks that a work product meets its specification (“did we build it right?"). Validation is confirmation that the requirements for a specific intended use or application have been fulfilled - it checks the product meets real user needs (“did we build the right thing?"). Verification looks at the specification; validation looks at the intended use.
How to cite
International Software Testing Qualifications Board. (2026). verification. ISTQB Glossary. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://istqb-glossary.page/verification/.