Validating a product is a crucial step in ensuring it meets our Product Requirement Specification (PRS), customer needs, and market demands. It determines whether a product is worth investing in and ensures that it aligns with required functionality, performance, and compliance standards. A typical day in product validation involves meticulous testing, gathering data, and refining results based on feedback. Let’s walk through product validation at Trumeter.
Drafting the Validation Plan
The first task is preparing the validation plan. All tests are derived from the PRS and broken down into sections within an Excel spreadsheet. These sections include:
- General Functions
- Electrical Testing
- Mechanical Testing
- Firmware Validation
- Standards Compliance (EMC, Environmental Tests, etc.)
- Final Product Evaluation
Each of these categories ensures that the product is rigorously tested across all essential parameters.
Key Elements of a Design Validation (DV) Plan
A well-structured DV plan consists of several essential headings:
- Description of the Test: This section provides an overview of the test, including the type of test, the component being tested, and its relevance to product development. For example: “This test is designed to verify the product’s performance under varying environmental conditions.”
- Aim/Purpose of the Test: This outlines the objective and necessity of the test, such as ensuring functionality, durability, safety, or regulatory compliance.
- Procedure: A step-by-step breakdown of how the test is performed. For example:
- Power on the device.
- Adjust the temperature settings to 40°C.
- Monitor device performance for 4 hours.
- Action – Who is Responsible: Specifies the individuals or teams accountable for executing the test and documenting the results.
- Pass/Fail Criteria: Clearly defined benchmarks for determining success or failure. For example:
- Pass: The device operates normally without malfunctions.
- Fail: The device shuts down or does not meet specified performance parameters.
- Observation: Notes any deviations from expected outcomes or unexpected behaviours that may need further investigation.
- Date Completed: The date the test was performed and finalized.
- Product Sample: Details of the product or prototype under test, including serial numbers or version numbers for tracking purposes.
This structure ensures that the DV plan is organized, comprehensive, and actionable, making it easier to validate product performance at each stage of development and compliance to the standards specified.
Cloud Validation and IoT Testing
A key component of validation for modern products that connect to the cloud is verifying ability to perform over-the-air (OTA) updates, data transmission, and remote connectivity. For instance, a cloud validation test might focus on ensuring that the product can successfully:
- Connect to the cloud
- Receive and process OTA software updates
- Maintain proper functionality while communicating with cloud services
This type of validation ensures that products meet modern technological standards and remain functional in real-world IoT environments.
A Day as a Test Validation Engineer
My day as test validation engineer is centered around ensuring that products meet the highest standards of quality and performance. From creating test validation plans to executing tests and troubleshooting issues, the role demands attention to detail and a deep understanding of both the product and the underlying technology.
I also work closely with senior engineers and other team members to identify and discuss issues. While the work can be challenging, the satisfaction of ensuring that a product functions as intended and meets customer expectations makes the role both impactful and rewarding. With evolving technologies, I am continuously learning to keep up with the latest testing methodologies and tools.
Product validation is an essential process that ensures reliability, compliance, and functionality before market release. A structured DV plan provides a systematic approach to testing, allowing for efficient verification of performance, environmental endurance, and customer expectations. Whether testing hardware, firmware, or cloud connectivity, every aspect of the validation process contributes to delivering a high-quality, market-ready product.
