computer system is a latest validation system in pharmaceutical industries.
To compliance with the good laboratory practice and good manufacturing practice.
it`s part of 211CFR part 11.
2. COMPUTER SYSTEM VALIDATION (CSV)
“Confirmation by examination and provision of objective evidence that
software specifications conform to user needs and intended uses, and that the
particular requirements implemented through software can be consistently
fulfilled” – General Principles of Software Validation: Final Guidance for
Industry and FDA Staff
3. UNDERSTAND THE KEY POINTS, LET’S BREAKDOWN THE DEFINITION.
“Confirmation by examination” – must have defined user needs and intended uses.
The user can be a patient, someone in the hospital, a lab tech, a QA engineer, a
manufacturing person. Examine the software to confirm that it functions as defined in
the requirements and that it will be suitable for its intended use.
“provision of objective evidence” – there must be defined software requirements.
Document all validation activities and test results.
“user needs and intended uses” – examine the software to ensure that it meets the
user needs and defined requirements. This could include design reviews, code
reviews, testing, etc. Define what the user needs to do with the software and how they
will use the software.
4. UNDERSTAND THE KEY POINTS, LET’S BREAKDOWN THE DEFINITION.
“particular requirements implemented through software” – confirm that the
requirements can be consistently fulfilled (not just in a single situation). This could
include stress testing multiple data sets, performance testing with many users in many
locations, testing with multiple browsers or web apps, testing from multiple devices
(and even mobile apps), etc. Define how the software needs to work to enable the
intended use.
“consistently fulfilled” – need to have objective evidence of this confirmation (for
inspections). Document all validation activities and test results. The examination
needs to confirm that the software will work in all anticipated situations.
5. COMPUTER SYSTEM VALIDATION USING THE CLASSIC
“V DIAGRAM”
projects. The classic “V Diagram” was popularized by industry organizations such as ISPE via GAMP
Guides.
6. LET’S BREAK DOWN EACH PART A LITTLE BIT FURTHER, STARTING
WITH PLANNING.
Validation Plan
The Validation Plan defines what will be validated and the approach you will use. It also
defines roles and responsibilities along with the most important part, the Acceptance
Criteria.
7. USER REQUIREMENTS SPECIFICATION (URS)
The User Requirements Specification describes what the user needs from the software
and how they will use it. It also contains any critical constraints such as regulations,
safety requirements, operational requirements, etc.
For example, here’s a list of a few User Requirements that might be needed for a lab
system.
System must track training of lab analysts on lab methods/techniques
System must track samples coming into the lab
System must automatically assign lab analysts to test samples based on availability and
training
System must send sample testing pass/fail outcomes to the ERP
System must comply with 21 CFR 11
8. FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATIONS (FS)
The Functional Specification document describes how the software needs to work and
look to meet the user needs. The document might include descriptions of how specific
screens and reports should look, or describe data that needs to be captured.
The Functional Requirements can also include logic and calculations along with how
it will comply with regulatory requirements. For example, the Part 11 compliance
requirements might detail how passwords or the audit trail should work.
9. DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS (DS)
Database Design – file structures, field definitions, data flow diagrams, entity
relationship diagrams
Logic/Process Design – pseudo code for logic and calculations
Security Design – virus protection, hacker protection
Interface Design – what data will move from one system to another; how and how
often, and failure handling
Architecture Design – required hardware, operating systems, application versions,
middleware, etc.
Network Requirements
Specific peripheral devices – scanners, printers, etc.
10. DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS (DS)
System Build
In the System Build step, you develop or purchase your software and then configure it
to the previous specification documents. This step includes unit testing and integration
testing.
Installation Qualification Tests (IQ) Tests
The Installation Qualification tests provide confirmation that the software or system is
installed and setup according to the Design Specification. Usually the software is first
installed in a test or validation environment, but there can be exceptions in situations
such as manufacturing.
11. OPERATIONAL QUALIFICATION (OQ) TESTS
Operational Qualification testing is often referred to as Functional Testing or System
Testing. OQ tests confirm that all functionality defined in the Functional Specification
is present and working correctly, and that there are no bugs. OQ tests can also include
confirmation of any design elements not tested during IQ, such as configuration, are
working as specified.
12. PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATION (PQ) TESTS
Performance Qualification testing is often called User Acceptance testing. PQ testing
confirms that the software will meet the users’ needs and is suitable for their intended
use, as defined in the User Requirements Specification. Testing can follow Use Cases,
SOPs, user-defined scenarios, etc. For simple software like reports or spreadsheets,
OQ and PQ testing are often combined.
13. REPORTING
The last step in this validation method is to write the Validation Report, often called
the Validation Summary or System Certification. This report provides confirmation
that all activities specified in the validation plan have been completed. The Validation
Report summarizes the testing results and provides confirmation that all acceptance
criteria have been met and the software is ready for deployment.
14. OTHER COMPUTER SYSTEM VALIDATION TERMINOLOGY
SOFTWARE VERIFICATION
THE FDA STATES THAT:
Software verification looks for consistency, completeness, and
correctness of the software and its supporting documentation, as it is
being developed, and provides support for a subsequent conclusion
that software is validated.
15. QUALIFICATION
QUALIFICATION IS DEFINED BY IEEE AS:
Formal testing to demonstrate that
the software meets its specified requirements.
Qualification is the formal
testing of requirements in
either the URS, FS or Design
document. You perform these
tests during the IQ, OQ and
PQ stages of the validation
process.
16.
17. REFERENCES:
What is Computer System Validation and How Do You Do It? (validationcenter.com)
FDA Computer System & Software Validation - What You’ve Known For 20+ Years Is Changing
(greenlight.guru)