Glossary · Verification and validation
Validation
German: Validierung
In functional safety and systems engineering, validation is the confirmation through examination and objective evidence that the safety solution fulfills its intended use and requirements. It asks whether the right solution was built for the real application.
- Verification
- Functional safety
In one sentence
Validation confirms with objective evidence that a safety solution fits its intended use, not just that it meets its written specification.
Example
Validation of a palletizing cell checks by analysis and testing that the safety functions, their PL and the stopping distances actually protect operators during loading, jam clearing and maintenance.
How it applies
- Functional safety: ISO 13849-2 describes validation of safety-related parts of control systems by analysis and testing, based on a validation plan.
- Machine safety: Validation refers back to the intended use and foreseeable misuse. A system that meets its specification can still fail validation if the specification missed a real task.
- Evidence: Validation needs independence appropriate to the risk, recorded results and a clear conclusion. It supports, but does not by itself establish, conformity with legal requirements.
- Technical documentation: The validation report belongs in the technical file. User instructions are part of what is validated: can users actually follow them?
Validation vs. verification
Verification asks "did we build it right?", checking against specified requirements. Validation asks "did we build the right thing?", checking against intended use. Keep both terms distinct in plans and reports.