Speakers:
Stuart Grassick BEng (Hons), Principal Surveyor, DNV Maritime
Stewart Dale CEng MIMechE, MEng (Hons), Verification Service Manager/ Principal Engineer, DNV Energy Systems
Keith McLean CEng MIMechE, BEng (Hons), Principal Engineer/Project Manager, DNV Energy Systems
About the webinar:
In regulated and high-risk industries such as energy, offshore operations, manufacturing, and infrastructure, the terms classification and verification are often used interchangeably—yet they represent distinct processes with different objectives, responsibilities, and impacts on risk, compliance, and assurance. This webinar aims to clearly differentiate between classification and verification, and to explain how each contributes to safe, reliable, and compliant operations across the asset lifecycle.
The session will begin by defining classification and verification in practical terms. Classification is discussed as a structured framework driven by rule sets and technical standards, typically applied to establish baseline requirements for design, construction, and in-service condition. Verification, by contrast, is explored as an independent assurance activity focused on confirming that specific requirements, risks, or performance criteria are met—often in response to regulatory, contractual, or project-specific needs.
Through real-world examples, the webinar will highlight where these processes overlap, where they diverge, and why misunderstanding their scope can result in duplicated effort, gaps in assurance, or misaligned expectations between duty holders, regulators, and assurance providers. Particular attention will be given to roles and accountabilities, independence, and the timing of classification and verification activities across project and operational phases.
The webinar will also address common challenges, including managing interfaces between multiple assurance regimes, integrating risk-based thinking, and ensuring proportionality in assurance without compromising safety or compliance. Attendees will gain practical insights into when classification is appropriate, when verification is required, and how the two can be effectively aligned to support robust governance and decision-making.
This session is designed for quality professionals, engineering managers, project leads, and operational stakeholders seeking clarity, consistency, and confidence in their assurance strategies—ultimately enabling safer operations and better-informed business outcomes.
What You’ll Learn
- What “Classification” really means—and how to apply it consistently
- What “Verification” is—and isn’t
- How confusion between the two leads to misunderstanding
- Guides to improve accuracy and decision-making
- How to embed these principles into your organisation
Takeaways
- Clear, actionable definitions
- A decision‑support guide you can refer to
- Increased confidence in classification & verification frameworks
- Improved consistency of knowledge domain
Stewart Dale CEng MIMechE, MEng (Hons)
Stuart Grassick BEng (Hons)
