3.3. Validation

Validation is a simple check that the textual responses of assessments meet the questions asked in the criteria, and that the grading reflects the textual response.

Validation is different from verification. Verification checks that the response is factually correct, and is part of the assessment activity. Validation does not check that the response is factually correct. It checks that the response fully answers the criterion and that gradings are justified by the answer.

To assist validation, each criterion has answer criteria. These state what the response must contain in order to be valid, and how the grades should be interpreted in order to be valid.

Validation simply involves reading the textual response, answer criteria and grading, and indicating that the response is valid or otherwise. Where responses are not valid, discuss them with the person who carried out assessment.

Validation tips

Validation is best carried out by someone other than the person who carried out the assessment. In a system governance team, think of validation as a peer review of assessments. If you are not sure if a response is valid, then it is not valid. The response may be needed later to argue the case for corrective action or more budget; it is better to clear up any ambiguity at the validation stage than have it undermine later stages. If you think something is not valid, note down your reasons in the response comment field in Metrici Advisor, so that they are easy to find when discussing the response with the assessor.