‘V Model’ System Design Lifecycle
A whole lifecycle approach is a fundamental principle within systems engineering, and the same is true of Human Factors Engineering.
By ‘lifecycle’ we mean the system’s scope over time, and the stages it progresses through. This might go from concept to disposal, including design, development, testing, production, deployment, operations, maintenance, and disposal.
The V-model is a well-known systems engineering process model that illustrates the development and testing process over the lifecycle of a system. The V-model is called so because the flow of the process starts at the top with the requirements, progresses down through the design stages, and then back up to the top with testing and validation. The V-model illustrates how requirements drive the design, implementation, and testing of a system, while verification and validation are performed to ensure that the system meets the requirements.
The left side of the V-model represents the initial stages of the development life cycle, where the system requirements are defined and then refined through the design stages. This left side of the V-model includes activities such as requirement analysis, system design, and subsystem design. These activities are typically carried out during the early phases of the system development process.
The right side of the V-model represents the later stages of the development life cycle, where the system implementation is tested and validated. This right side of the V-model includes activities such as subsystem testing, system integration testing, and acceptance testing. These activities are typically carried out during the later phases of the system development process.
The V-model’s fundamental principle is that testing is an integral part of the system development process. Each level of the V-model requires verification and validation to ensure that the system meets the requirements. The V-model’s structure provides a framework for traceability from requirements through to testing, providing a clear link between the initial requirements and the final system implementation.