What term best describes the process of validating and verifying that a software product meets its design requirements?

The process of validating and verifying that a software product meets its design requirements is best described as testing. Testing involves executing a software system to identify any gaps between expected and actual outcomes, ensuring that the product functions as intended and adheres to specified requirements. This includes various activities such as unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing, each serving to confirm that different aspects of the software meet the necessary standards and criteria.

Other terms related to the software development lifecycle may not fit this concept as precisely. Evaluation, for instance, generally refers to assessing the overall quality or performance of the software, which can include factors beyond just meeting design requirements. Verification is a component of testing that focuses on whether the product is built correctly according to specifications without necessarily ensuring that it meets user needs. Deployment relates to the distribution and installation of the software to users and does not involve the assessment of its compliance with design standards. Thus, testing encompasses the core activities required for validating and verifying software functionality against its design requirements.