Verification and Validation: What Impact Should Project Size and Complexity Have on Attendant V&V Activities and Supporting Infrastructure?

Arthur, James D and Sargent, Robert G and Dabney, James B and Law, Averill M and (Jack) Morrison, John D (1999) Verification and Validation: What Impact Should Project Size and Complexity Have on Attendant V&V Activities and Supporting Infrastructure?. Technical Report ncstrl.vatech_cs//TR-99-06, Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Abstract

The size and complexity of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) application continue to grow at a significant rate. The focus of this panel is to examine the impact that such growth should have on attendant Verification and Validation (V&V) activities. Two prominent considerations guiding the panel discussion are: (1) Extending the current M&S development objectives to include quality characteristics like maintainability, reliability, and reusability -- the current modus operandi focuses primarily on correctness, and (2) Recognizing the necessity and benefits of tailoring V&V activities commensurate with the size of the project, i.e., one size does not fit all. In this paper we provide six questions and four sets of responses to those questions. These questions and responses are intended to foster additional thought and discussion on topics crucial to the synthesis of quality M&S applications.