Activity 6: Summary and next steps

Congratulations on completing Activity 6.

In this activity, we covered several essential concepts and best practices to ensure that software meets its requirements and performs as expected. Let’s recap the main points you covered.

Firstly, you were introduced to the concept of software validation, which is the process of evaluating software at the end of the development process to ensure that it meets its intended purpose and requirements and secondly, you looked at the role of quality assurance in software development. Quality assurance is an ongoing process that involves various activities, including planning, designing, building and testing, to ensure that the software meets the defined quality standards.

Next, you explored the relationship between testing, validation and verification. You learned that testing is the process of executing the software to identify defects, while validation and verification are complementary processes that help ensure the software is fit for its intended purpose. Validation focuses on determining whether the software meets its requirements and is suitable for use, while verification focuses on checking that the software meets its design specifications.

Throughout the activity, you learned about several best practices for software validation and quality assurance, such as employing a combination of techniques, using a range of testing tools, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. You also examined some examples of validation techniques, such as black-box testing, white-box testing, and grey-box testing, and their applications in real-world scenarios.

Next steps

Congratulations, you have nearly reached the end of this course. The final section will summarise what you have learned and you will be able to take the final graded assignment to test your understanding of the concepts covered in the course. You can take the assignment as many times as you like. When you pass it, you will be awarded your Certificate of Achievement, which you can download and keep as evidence of your learning.