NPI, DFM/DFA & Engineering Change worked example

Design Verification Cost at 61% share of tests in dv scope: a worked example

This worked example runs the design verification cost numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: 61% share of tests in dv scope instead of the typical 85%. Estimate design verification cost from the number of tests, cost per test, the in-scope share, and setup and fixturing cost.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Verification tests executed: 24 tests (held at the documented default)
  • Cost per verification test: 650 $ / test (held at the documented default)
  • Share of tests in DV scope: 61 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 85)
  • Test setup and fixturing cost: 5,000 $ (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Total design verification cost = verification tests × cost per test × in-scope share + test setup and fixturing.
  • Total design verification cost works out to 14,516 $ at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Design verification cost per unit works out to 605 $ / piece at these inputs.
  • Variable design verification cost works out to 9,516 $ at these inputs.
  • Fixed design verification cost adder works out to 5,000 $ at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where share of tests in dv scope sits at 85% and the headline result is 18,260 $, this scenario comes in 20.5% below the baseline at 14,516 $.
  • Use it when budgeting a DV test plan at an NPI design-verification gate or comparing in-house versus outsourced test campaigns. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • Total design verification cost: 14,516 $ (headline result)
  • Design verification cost per unit: 605 $ / piece
  • Variable design verification cost: 9,516 $
  • Fixed design verification cost adder: 5,000 $

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Design Verification Cost calculator, set share of tests in dv scope to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.