o    Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) is a set of Verification and Validation activities performed by a certified entity that is not under the control of the organization that is developing the software.

o   Verification: Ensuring the product is built right.  Validation: Ensuring the right product is built.

o   IV&V services must be provided, managed and financed by organizations that are technically, managerially and financially independent of the development project.

o   Most state projects require Project Assurance/Independent Verification and Validation Services for Executive Branch Agency IT Projects > $1M

(O.C.G.A Section 45-12-70 et seq.; Section 50-5-51 (1), (2) and (11); Section 50-25-1(b)(14); Section 50-25-1(c); Section 50-25-4(a)(10); Section 50-25-5.1(b)(3). The authority for IV&V is provided from House Resolution 1263 and Senate Resolution 754.

  Is your project large, complex, or mission-critical?

  Is your project manager and/or project team working with new technology or new methodologies?

Do your customers expect a high level of accuracy and quality in the final product(s) of your project?

 Is your project of high visibility? Will it be scrutinized and used as a template for future projects?

Do you require or desire validation of a project for your management or external group?

A high-level outline of the process followed includes:

  An in-depth review of the foundational project documents (charter, scope statement, business case justification, selection criteria)

 A review of the project status document, meeting minutes, etc.

A review of the various planning documents (project plan, communication plan, risk management information, regulatory compliance plans, test plans and acceptance criteria, etc.)

Interviews with the project sponsor, stakeholders, and various team members

·       What are the benefits of performing Independent Validation and Verification (IV&V) on a software project? Though there are many, we routinely cite three primary benefits:

·       Early detection: IV&V identifies both problems and opportunities for improvement to processes and work products early on, so that corrections and improvements can be made before the consequences become major.

·       Improved quality: IV&V improves the quality of project work products and processes. These improvements come not only through early detection of errors, but through proactive prevention of errors.

·       Lower cost: By detecting errors, problems, and opportunities for improvement at the earliest possible points, IV&V can significantly reduce the overall cost of an IT project.

IV&V Cost Estimates by Project Size

Projects Under $1 Million:

IV&V Costs: Typically range from 10% to 15% of the total project cost.

Example: For a project costing $500,000, IV&V costs would be between $50,000 and $75,000.

Projects Between $1 Million and $5 Million:

IV&V Costs: Generally fall within 7% to 12% of the total project cost.

Example: For a project costing $3 million, IV&V costs would be between $210,000 and $360,000.

Projects Over $10 Million:

IV&V Costs: Usually range from 5% to 10% of the total project cost.

Example: For a project costing $15 million, IV&V costs would be between $750,000 and $1.5 million.

These estimates provide a general idea of the IV&V costs based on different project sizes. The exact percentage can vary depending on the specifics and complexity of each project.

Does this revised breakdown meet your needs?

Independent Verification and Validation is a process that can identify issues in a project based on written requirements.

It is more than just a simple checklist – when conducted properly, it helps ensure a project will be successful, delivering what is required (not just what is documented).

 It is a way to demonstrate progress to interested parties. And, it is a way to know for sure when things are really going well