02/15/2023
When we think of the important tests we’ve encountered throughout our education, our brains often jump to the SAT, ACT, or the tedious, standardized state exams that required a #2 pencil. Fast-forward to your adult life and testing takes on a whole new meaning. While you may experience less curriculum-based testing, you operate more and more systems that require their own unique form of testing before being released to end users.
Software testing, a singular puzzle piece of a larger system implementation process, is gaining importance and traction in these types of endeavors. A major system implementation — such as an ERP or mobility solution — can be a daunting venture for any organization due to the time and resources allocated. In order to confirm that the end product successfully satisfies the technical requirements and complies with specific business and user needs, a proper software testing plan must be outlined and executed.
The Benefits of Software Testing For Your Overall System Implementation Process
Each stage of a system implementation, whether it be requirements gathering or post-launch hypercare, adds value to the overall initiative. Software testing is no different and brings several key benefits, including:
1. Improved user performance and productivity. By allowing ample time for stakeholders and end-users to review changes to their day-to-day processes before a system implementation, businesses can better prepare individuals for a change to the status quo. This advance notice will ultimately save time when it comes to user adoption.
2. Increased operational efficiency and accuracy. Conducting a multitude of testing validations ensures both functionality and core processes are fully operational prior to a wider go-live.
3. Enhanced software development process. Sufficient testing will empower testers to document defects and track the progress to resolutions. By giving testers a stake in the end product, businesses increase the number of people interested in delivering an effective, high-quality solution.
4. Reduced costs and realized revenue growth. Thorough, upfront testing drastically reduces the likelihood of a costly, time-intensive software re-work to address lost or inefficient functionality.
While there is no one-size-fits-all approach for executing a software testing plan, multiple types of testing are encouraged.
The SAT of Software Testing
Sharpen your #2 pencils and prepare your team for the SAT of software testing: Operational Readiness Testing. ORT is a complete and comprehensive testing session that occurs at the conclusion of all other testing activities to ensure both functionality and core processes are fully operational. While you likely will not be covering the core subjects of math, science, English, and history in this testing phase, companies should prepare to review functionality that pertains to all groups affected by the implementation.
To obtain a holistic review of the system during ORT, technical teams and applicable testers should sample the following aspects of the overall system:
- Database back-up
- Database recovery
- Software Installation and Configuration
- Rollback
- Failover
- Supportability
- Reliability
- Performance
- Regression
- Maintainability
- Security
Because ORT is the final stage that occurs prior to a large go-live or a push to a real environment, it’s crucial to optimize your execution by considering the following steps:
1. Create a test plan with outlined testing objectives, test schedules that align with the overall project timeline, and defined test environments.
2. Develop high-quality scenarios and test scripts that encompass core processes across all necessary departments to be utilized during the testing execution.
3. Validate the test cases through department or team review sessions.
4. Execute testing and record identified bugs or defects to ensure they are triaged and resolved appropriately based on the priority.
5. Retest until the previously-documented defects pass without issue and all functionality satisfies the defined requirements.
At Sendero, one of our key service offerings is our extensive solution to system implementation needs. Our team’s collaborative strategy leads you forward with an agile, adaptable approach throughout the entirety of your system implementation lifecycle, ensuring systems are deployed efficiently and on time.
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