Which statement best describes acceptance testing versus inspection?

Which statement best describes acceptance testing versus inspection?

• A. Acceptance testing evaluates if deliverables meet requirements; inspection checks conformance during production but before acceptance.
• B. Acceptance testing and inspection are the same
• C. Inspection evaluates final acceptance only
• D. Acceptance testing is only about packaging

Answer: (A)

Acceptance testing asks whether the product meets user requirements in the intended environment, typically after it’s built and often performed by the customer or end users using defined acceptance criteria. Inspection is a static review of work products—requirements, design, or code—to verify conformance to standards and specifications, and it happens during development before release, without running the product. This distinction matters because acceptance testing validates fitness for purpose and real-world use, while inspection aims to find defects early through careful examination. The other statements don’t fit: they imply the activities are the same, or that inspection only evaluates final acceptance, or that acceptance testing is only about packaging.

Acceptance testing asks whether the product meets user requirements in the intended environment, typically after it’s built and often performed by the customer or end users using defined acceptance criteria. Inspection is a static review of work products—requirements, design, or code—to verify conformance to standards and specifications, and it happens during development before release, without running the product. This distinction matters because acceptance testing validates fitness for purpose and real-world use, while inspection aims to find defects early through careful examination. The other statements don’t fit: they imply the activities are the same, or that inspection only evaluates final acceptance, or that acceptance testing is only about packaging.