What distinguishes testing from evaluation?

The distinction between testing and evaluation is crucial in understanding their roles in building code compliance and overall project assessment. The correct choice highlights that testing is primarily focused on assessing whether a product or system meets specified standards and criteria. This process involves objective measurements and comparisons against established benchmarks to determine if the item fulfills required functional or safety standards.

On the other hand, evaluation goes a step further by incorporating subjective judgments and opinions. It often involves assessing not only compliance but also the broader impacts, usability, effectiveness, and overall performance of the system or product within its intended environment. Evaluation may take into account qualitative factors that are not easily measurable, such as user experience or design effectiveness.

This understanding clarifies that testing serves as an objective tool to confirm regulatory compliance, whereas evaluation encompasses a broader analysis that includes personal or professional insights on the effectiveness and suitability of a product or service. The other options present varying interpretations of the relationship between testing and evaluation, but the heart of the distinction lies in the nature of the assessment—objective versus subjective.