Independent Verification and Validation

Railways are increasingly complex. When constructing a new railway, it’s best practice to identify high-risk areas at the earliest possible opportunity.

IVV does this by systematically confirming whether railways comply with a client’s requirements for Safety, Functionality, RAM and Quality.

• Verification activities assess whether the project team has built the railway correctly i.e. supporting the project owner to have the railway it’s specified
• Validation activities track the overall project ensuring it is ultimately fit for purpose upon completion

This requires a combination of deep railway systems expertise and comprehensive understanding of operational best practices.

Independent Verification and Validation relies on identifying and assessing key risk areas relating to the specific railway. It allows the project owner to take steps to mitigate risks at less costly stages of the project's lifecycle or begin making contingency allowances in advance.

The process involves audits and assessments that are used to gather evidence throughout the project lifecycle. These culminate, if successful, with the issue of formal certification.

Assessments follow a proven, structured process with a thoroughness that ensures all necessary checks are completed within the required timeframe.

Our experts will consider how the lifecycles described in the EN50126 standard should be applied to your specific project and determine the level of assessment activity by

1. Consideration of Lifecycle Phase
2. Consideration of Process Risks
3. Consideration of Physical System Risks

• Verification and validation plan
• Design reviews with technical expertise
• Gate reviews
• Progress monitoring
• Design process assessment 
• Assessment of Change Requests
• Key Testing & Commissioning activity witnessing and validation
• RAMS-LCC verification
• RAM demonstration validation

The final IVV certificate is evidence to stakeholders that your project has been delivered with due care and attention to factors such as safety and quality throughout its development.

Regular reporting offers objective, independent assessments of upcoming issues and provide improved visibility of the project's overall quality.