Software Acquisition Management Guidebook: Validation and Certification.

This report is one of a series of Software Acquisition Management Guidebooks which provide information and guidance for ESD Program Office personnel who are charged with planning and managing the acquisition of command, control, and communications system software procured under Air Force 800 series regulations and related software acquisition management concepts. It provides a reveiw of the validation and certification practices and procedures employed by industry and set forth in relevant Department of Defense and Air Force regulations, specifications, and standards. It 1 defines the terms validation and certification, and distinguishes them from the term verification as applied to software 2 describes the software-related plannings, system engineering, and testing activities carried out by the Program Office which lead to system validation and certification 3 provides guidance in planning and executing those software-related activities necessary to successfully achieve system validation and certification 4 references other guidebooks in this series which provide more detailed information on the specific software techniques and tools required in system validation and certification 5 references the appropriate Department of Defense and Air Force regulations, specifications, and standards that establish the basis for system validation and certification. Author