Computing systems are employed in the health care environment in efforts to increase reliability of care and reduce costs. Software verification and validation (V&V) is an aid in determining that the software requirements are implemented correctly and completely and are traceable to system requirements. It helps to ensure that those system functions controlled by software are secure, reliable, and maintainable. Software V&V is conducted throughout the planning, development and maintenance of software systems, including knowledge based systems, and may assist in assuring appropriate reuse of software.

Effective software is essential to the success and safety of the Space Shuttle, including its crew and its payloads. The on-board software continually monitors and controls critical systems throughout a Space Shuttle flight. At NASA's request, the committee convened to review the agency's flight software development processes and to recommend a number of ways those processes could be improved. This book, the result of the committee's study, evaluates the safety, oversight, and management functions that are implemented currently in the Space Shuttle program to ensure that the software is of the highest quality possible. Numerous recommendations are made regarding safety and management procedures, and a rationale is offered for continuing the Independent Verification and Validation effort that was instituted after the Challenger Accident.

Historically, the terms validation and verification have been very loosely defined in the system engineering world, with predictable confusion. Few hardware or software testing texts even touch upon validation and verification, despite the fact that, properly employed, these test tools offer system and test engineers powerful techniques for identifying and solving problems early in the design process. Together, validation and verification encompass testing, analysis, demonstration, and examination methods used to determine whether a proposed design will satisfy system requirements. System Validation and Verification clear definitions of the terms and detailed information on using these fundamental tools for problem solving. It smoothes the transition between requirements and design by providing methods for evaluating the ability of a given approach to satisfy demanding technical requirements. With this book, system and test engineers and project managers gain confidence in their designs and lessen the likelihood of serious problems cropping up late in the program. In addition to explanations of the theories behind the concepts, the book includes practical methods for each step of the process, examples from the author's considerable experience, and illustrations and tables to support the ideas. Although not primarily a textbook, System Validation and Verification is based in part on validation and verification courses taught by the author and is an excellent supplemental reference for engineering students. In addition to its usefulness to system engineers, the book will be valuable to a wider audience including manufacturing, design, software , and risk management project engineers - anyone involved in large systems design projects.

This book fills the critical need for an in-depth technical reference providing the methods and techniques for building and maintaining confidence in many varities of system software. The intent is to help develop reliable answers to such critical questions as: 1) Are we building the right software for the need? and 2) Are we building the software right? Software Verification and Validation: An Engineering and Scientific Approach is structured for research scientists and practitioners in industry. The book is also suitable as a secondary textbook for advanced-level students in computer science and engineering.

"This book explores different applications in V & V that spawn many areas of software development -including real time applications- where V & V techniques are required, providing in all cases examples of the applications"--Provided by publisher.