Are we building the right product? This statement refers to:

Concept

Verification and validation answer two complementary questions in software engineering.

Verification checks whether work-products conform to specified requirements: “Are we building the product right?” Validation checks whether the completed product satisfies user needs and intended use: “Are we building the right product?”

Application

The statement asks whether the product being built is the one users actually need. That is the validation question because its reference point is user need and intended use, not merely conformance to a specification.

Contrast

• Verification compares software work-products with stated specifications and design requirements.

• Testing executes software to observe behaviour and reveal failures; it is a technique used within broader verification and validation activities.

• Software quality assurance defines and monitors process-level practices for preventing defects and improving quality.

Cross-check

Replace the phrase with its standard pair: “Are we building the product right?” maps to verification, whereas “Are we building the right product?” maps to validation.

Result

Therefore, the statement refers to Validation.