How can you ensure functional requirements validation methods are adaptable and scalable?

2 Choose validation methods

The second step is to choose the validation methods that will be used to check the functional requirements against the criteria. There are many validation methods available, such as reviews, inspections, walkthroughs, prototypes, simulations, scenarios, tests, surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the type, complexity, and maturity of the requirements, as well as the availability of resources, time, and feedback. Therefore, it is important to select the methods that are most appropriate, efficient, and effective for the project, and that can accommodate changes and variations in the requirements.

3 Plan validation activities

The third step is to plan the validation activities that will be performed throughout the project lifecycle. The validation activities should be aligned with the project schedule, milestones, and deliverables, and they should involve the relevant stakeholders, such as users, customers, sponsors, developers, testers, and analysts. The plan should specify the roles and responsibilities of each participant, the scope and level of detail of each validation session, the tools and techniques that will be used, the expected outcomes and outputs, and the feedback and communication mechanisms.

4 Execute validation activities

The fourth step is to execute the validation activities according to the plan. The execution should follow the agreed procedures and protocols, and it should adhere to the quality standards and guidelines. The execution should also be flexible and adaptable, meaning that it can adjust to new or modified requirements, contexts, and scenarios, and that it can handle different levels of detail, scope, and feedback. For example, some validation methods can be performed iteratively, incrementally, or continuously, such as prototypes, simulations, scenarios, and tests.

5 Evaluate validation results

The fifth step is to evaluate the validation results and compare them with the criteria. The evaluation should identify and document any discrepancies, errors, defects, or gaps in the functional requirements, as well as any suggestions, recommendations, or improvements. The evaluation should also measure and report the quality, accuracy, completeness, consistency, and feasibility of the functional requirements, and the satisfaction, confidence, and acceptance of the stakeholders. The evaluation should also be scalable, meaning that it can handle different levels of detail, scope, and feedback, and that it can aggregate and synthesize the results from different validation methods.

6 Implement validation feedback

The sixth and final step is to implement the validation feedback and update the functional requirements accordingly. The implementation should prioritize and address the most critical and relevant issues, and it should follow the change management and control processes. The implementation should also be traceable and transparent, meaning that it can track and record the changes and their impacts, and that it can communicate and justify the changes to the stakeholders. The implementation should also be iterative and continuous, meaning that it can repeat the validation cycle until the functional requirements are fully validated.