Whitepaper · April 2019
Test, But Verify!
Based on the popular Quality in a Quick episode on peer reviews, walkthroughs, and inspections, this paper explores the value of — and techniques for implementing — verification processes in your QA practice.
Verification vs. validation
Many organizations conflate "testing" with all quality activity, yet structured verification — reviews, walkthroughs, and inspections — often catches defects earlier and at lower cost than execution alone.
Verification asks whether the product was built correctly against specifications; validation asks whether the right product was built for users. Both are essential, but verification is frequently under-invested.
Techniques you can adopt
- Peer reviews of requirements, test plans, and automation scripts before execution.
- Walkthroughs for complex workflows or high-risk integrations.
- Formal inspections for regulated or safety-critical deliverables.
- Clear entry/exit criteria so reviews produce actionable outcomes, not meetings for their own sake.
Expected outcomes
Teams that institutionalize verification reduce escaped defects, shorten rework loops, and improve cross-functional trust. Download the full whitepaper for implementation checklists and real-world examples.
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