CAPM Practice: Validate requirements through product delivery

Alpha testing validates requirements with internal users (employees, controlled testers) who provide detailed feedback. Beta testing exposes requirements to real external users who interact without guidance, revealing real-world requirements gaps that controlled testing misses. Both serve requirements validation at different fidelity levels.

**Why not B:** Alpha and beta testing are not distinguished by software version number. Both can be performed on the same version of the product. The terms refer to the testing phase and audience (internal vs. external), not to sequential software builds.

**Why not C:** This choice incorrectly splits testing responsibility by requirement type. Both alpha and beta testing can validate functional and non-functional requirements alike. The real distinction is who performs the testing and where — internal teams versus external end users.

**Why not D:** Alpha and beta testing are fundamentally different processes, not identical ones scaled to different audience sizes. Alpha testing occurs in a controlled internal environment with organizational staff, while beta testing takes place in real-world conditions with external users who provide independent feedback.