testable

Testable describes something that can be examined, measured, or demonstrated through testing to establish its properties, truth, or performance. In empirical disciplines, testability is a central criterion for theories and hypotheses: a claim is considered scientifically meaningful if it can, in principle, be tested and potentially refuted by observation or experiment. The concept is closely linked to falsifiability, though testability emphasizes the practical possibility of conducting tests and obtaining observable results.

In software engineering and product development, testable requirements are those that can be verified by tests, measurements, or demonstrations. A testable requirement is specific, measurable, and observable, enabling test cases to determine whether it has been satisfied. By contrast, vague or ambiguous statements are not testable. For example, "The application shall load the main page within two seconds on a standard network" is testable, while "The system should be user-friendly" is not.

Practically, improving testability involves design practices such as modular architecture, clear interfaces, and accessible instrumentation and logging, which make it easier to observe outputs, reproduce conditions, and measure results. Clear acceptance criteria and well-defined test cases also enhance testability by providing objective standards for verification.

Beyond technology, testability appears in regulatory and quality contexts where claims must be demonstrable through evidence or testing. Overall, testability is the attribute of something being amenable to empirical verification, demonstration, or refutation.