Standard Development Life Cycle
Standard Procedures
Testing Phase
This is the phase where all the modules relating to each other, will be tested. Full integration
testing.  Output from one module will be input to the next.  A complete cycle test needs to be
BEFORE they are found in production.   

Save yourself and others the time of having to re-check-out the source and  find an available

user for your change to be tested at a future date.  The Users are allocated for the project
at this time not in the future.  

Along with this goal, other types of testing need to be done.

Scenario Base Testing--try to come up with possible scenarios that will cause problems

for the system, write a script that specifies possible weaknesses and see if system can
handle it.

The script used here has, basic information.  Scenario, Test data needed, expected results,

actual results, Pass/Fail statement.

This script should be passed on to the users of the system.  It should be filled out for

each task found in the AS IS process.

Limits Testing-- put in values and see if they are acceptable in the program, identify
acceptable items and unacceptable items for the program. Things that border on the limits of
acceptable items.  Dates, Names, Jan 32 Not acceptable, leap years, 11/30/98, could be
30/11/98 European, see if system catches these possibilities, Checks all of the data values

in the data base.

Once the new system passes all types of scenarios and limits testing,  it will be time to

complete the testing with the business users.

Benchmark Values, Have expected results and make sure the expectations are met.

Task based, User testing.  
Let the business users execute the process and determine if it does fit their needs.  

It should be close to what was discovered in the "AS IS" findings.    

Free Play Testing-- Let somebody walk through the test plan. User based testing should be

done by somebody that has little knowledge of how the system works.  See if the data entry
is intuitive.  Take note of what struggles he or she my have.  Does there need to be a
change in that design?  This is the time to make it.  Not after it is in production.  

Sampling-- Use statistics to examine the samples that we have chosen. Does the majority

of our sample work?

Software--Use a program to run scripts, generate simulated transactions that will test

numerous possibilities very quickly without manually having to type in or scan the
information.  Build in the testing program to the original software, build the program to
have built in testing (debugging and tracing)

Hardware--Loading the hardware to its limits, test with all users.  Can the system

handle 5 or more people at the same time?  Make sure the application can handle same
processes executing at the same time

Test Data Base-- used to test the system, how to handle the information, Odd Cases that

maybe a potential error if it occurs in the real world.  If errors were found run the same
test data through process again and make sure that enhancement have fixed the problem
and also verify it has not caused another problem. Sarbanes-Oxley  also requires saving
of test data.

When the testing is complete, the next step is the
Implementation Phase.

Benefits of the Testing Phase.

  • Validation of developed processes
  • Proof of all modules working together
  • Involvement of the user community
  • Audit trail for auditors
  • Builds confidence in the users
  • Generates scripts for training