---
title: "How do you differentiate between test items that are part of verification testing and the ones that belong to validation testing?"
description: "The main differentiation between test items is the configuration item type that they are testing. Each Requirement requires a test case, which relates to a validation test case. Meanwhile, each specification requires at least one test case as well, which would relate to your verification test case."
category: "Frequently Asked Questions"
section: "Test Management"
keywords: ["test verification", "belong", "ones", "differentiate", "testing", "test case", "missing", "validation"]
source_url: "https://support.ketryx.com/hc/en-us/articles/23295381290509-How-do-you-differentiate-between-test-items-that-are-part-of-verification-testing-and-the-ones-that-belong-to-validation-testing"
last_reviewed: 2026-06-11
---

# How do you differentiate between test items that are part of verification testing and the ones that belong to validation testing?

> **In short:** The main differentiation between test items is the configuration item type that they are testing. Each Requirement requires a test case, which relates to a validation test case. Meanwhile, each specification requires at least one test case as well, which would relate to your verification test case.

The main differentiation between test items is the configuration item type that they are testing. Each _Requirement_ requires a test case, which relates to a validation test case. Meanwhile, each specification requires at least one test case as well, which would relate to your verification test case.

When you view your traceability matrix in Ketryx, you'll be able to see different messages for configuration items in your design inputs and design outputs if they are missing a test case. This message will be something along the lines of "Validation test case missing" or "Verification test case missing" for Requirements and Specifications respectively.

Please see this [Manual](https://docs.ketryx.com/Nfv9ttHxYK0eaVZFq3wl/manuals/man-07-traceability#id-2.1.-system-requirement-and-specification-mode) for more information on traceability and this [Manual](https://docs.ketryx.com/Nfv9ttHxYK0eaVZFq3wl/manuals/man-06-test-management) for more information on test management. We also have various work instructions at [docs.ketryx.com.](http://docs.ketryx.com/)

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