Verification v validation
BS EN 9145, 2018, Aerospace series - Requirements for advanced product quality planning and production part approval process, published by the British Standards Institution suggests that validation is: ‘Assurance that a product, service, or system fulfils the needs of the customer and other identified stakeholders. It often involves acceptance with external customers.’
Construction Quality Planning Guide, Draft for Consultation, Published by the Construction Innovation Hub in May 2020, suggests that simply put, validation implies: ‘Are we building the right thing?’
Conversely, BS EN 9145 suggests that verification is “Confirmation by examination and provision of objective evidence that the specified requirements have been fulfilled.”
Construction Quality Planning Guide, Draft for Consultation, suggests that, simply put, verification implies: ‘Are we building it right?’
BSI Flex 8670 V3.0, Built environment – Core criteria for building safety in competence frameworks – Code of practice, April 2021 Version 3, published by The British Standards Institution in 2021, defines validation as a: ‘formal process of assessing an individual’s competence against a sector-specific competence framework.’
Government Functional Standard, GovS 002: Project delivery; portfolio, programme and project management, Version: 2.0, published on 15 July 2021 by HM Government, defines validation as: ‘An activity that ensures a solution (or part of) meets the needs of the business. Validation ensures that business requirements are met even though these might have changed since the original design.’ It defines verification as: 'An activity that ensures that a solution (or part of) is complete, accurate, reliable and matches its design specification.'
BG 81/2022, Soft Landings for Fit-Outs, written by Kieran Everett and James Gall and published by BSRIA in June 2022, defines validation as: ‘A physical review of the existing conditions of the space and associated services against the proposed design data.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Advanced product quality planning.
- Construction Innovation Hub.
- Construction product approval process.
- Construction quality planning.
- Lessons learnt.
- Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA).
- Product design requirements.
- Product validation.
- Production readiness review.
- Project quality plan.
- Qualifying Explanatory Statement QES.
- Quality.
- Revalidation.
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.