File: 11 October 2026 · Source date: 11 October 2026
Verification: are we solving the equations correctly?
Verification examines whether the calculation method and software correctly solve the intended mathematical model. Network thinning, error analysis, and comparative solutions make numerical errors visible. Running the code without crashing is no substitute for this test.
Validation: are we modeling the right problem?
Validation compares model results with experimental or independent observations. While a model solves its own equations flawlessly, it may fail in the real system due to incomplete physics, incorrect boundary conditions, or insufficient data.
Why is uncertainty quantification necessary?
The NASA approach seeks to jointly assess how input uncertainties, model assumptions, and numerical errors are propagated to the results. Reliability is not an absolute label, but the strength of the evidence gathered for the specific intended use.
Related reading
When is a simulation reliable? · How to falsify a simulation claim
discussion question
What independent evidence would you like to see before making a critical decision with the result of a model?
Resources and further reading
NASA — Verification, Validation and Uncertainty Quantification ↗NASA — Verification and Validation Tutorial ↗Share your answer
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