17.6.2 Configuration Review An important element of the validation process is a conftguration review. The intent of the review is to ensure that all elements of the software configuratlon have been properly developed, are cataloged, and have the necessary detail to bolster the sup- port activities. The configuration review, sometimes called an audit, is discussed in more detail in Chapter 22.
17"6.3 Alpha and Beta Testing It is virtually impossible for a softr,vare developer to foresee how the customer will realiy use a program. Instructions lor use may be misintetpreted; strange combina- tions of data may be regularly used; output that seemed clear to the tester may be unintelligible to a user in the field. When custom software is bLrilt lor one customer, a series of acceptance tests are conducted to enable the customer to validate all requirements. Conducted by the end user rather than software englneers, an acceptance test can range lrom an informal "test drive" to a planned and systematicaily executed series of tests. In fact, accept- ance testing can be conducted over a period of weeks or months, thereby uncover ing cumulative errors that might degrade the system over time.