provkrav

Provkrav is a term used in certain technical and disciplinary communities to denote the process or criteria used to prove that a set of requirements has been satisfied. The word is a portmanteau often described as combining a notion of proof (prov) with requirements (krav), and it does not have a single, universally accepted definition.

Definition and scope

In practice, provkrav refers to a formal subset of verification activities that produce verifiable evidence that requirements are met. This can take the form of tests, formal proofs, demonstrations, or other artifacts that demonstrate conformance. The emphasis is on evidentiary proof of compliance rather than on broader development activities, although in some contexts the two are tightly linked.

Origins and usage

The term appears in informal discussions within software engineering, product development, and related fields, particularly among multilingual teams that blend terminology from different languages. It is not an official term in major standards bodies, and its precise meaning can vary between organizations or projects.

Applications and relation to other concepts

Provkrav artifacts may include test results, compliance checklists, proofs, or demonstration recordings that show how requirements are satisfied. It intersects with verification, validation, and acceptance testing, but centers on producing demonstrable proof of conformance for specific requirements.

Limitations and reception

Because provkrav is not standardized, its interpretation can be inconsistent across teams, potentially causing confusion with existing terms like acceptance criteria or proof of compliance. Some practitioners advocate using clearer, more widely understood terminology to avoid ambiguity.

See also

Verification, validation, acceptance criteria, proof of compliance.