Software Testing - Implementation Testing

Software testing ensures that software is in the state in which it can be released to the customers. However before the actual testing is kicked off, it is ensured that all the points which are included in the test plan are ready. The software implementation testing is conducted to confirm that all the prerequisites mentioned in the test plan are taken care of, and the test manager is responsible for this activity.

What is Software Implementation Testing?

Software implementation testing is the technique of managing, organizing the test cases, and then generating the test data for them. It also includes creating the test harness for running the automated test scripts. A test manager or analyst is responsible for this testing technique and he ensures that all the necessary preconditions are available prior to the execution of the test cases. Once the prerequisites are configured, various test design activities namely test cases, test procedures, test data etc are performed to test the features of the software.

It is also very important to select the correct test cases, and to run them in the correct sequence. The software implementation testing is also conducted while using the risk based strategies where the test cases are prioritized based on the risks, and issues.

As per the IEEE829, the below configurations should be taken into considerations −

• Test Input Data.
• Expected Test Outcomes.
• Steps To Be Followed in Each Test Steps.

All this information is documented, and the test data are saved in the database, flat files etc.

Test Manager Responsibilities in Implementation Testing

The responsibilities of test manager in software implementation testing are listed below −

• The test manager confirms if all the test methodologies are available to the testers.
• The test manager creates guidelines, schedules on the test execution, sequence in which the automated and manual tests need to be executed, and generation of test data.
• The test manager determines test execution timelines.
• The test manager ensures that all the necessary tools are available.
• The test manager takes care of the test environment which will be used for the test data creation.
• The test manager checks if all the test cases are documented and there are adequate reviews on them.
• The test manager ensures if the test environment is set up correctly, and is as per the guidelines.
• The test manager identifies all the potential risks.

Test Implementation and Test Automation

The software implementation testing should consider both automation and manual testing. Automated testing should be adopted only if there is a good return on investment identified on running those tests. The test manager is responsible for setting the priority, and the sequence in which automated and manual tests need to be executed. Besides, the software implementation testing is also conducted to make the correct choice of test automation, and test data generation tools, frameworks etc.

Advantages of Software Implementation Testing

The advantages of the software implementation testing are listed below −

• The software implementation testing involves designing of all the test cases on the behavior of the software.
• The software implementation testing determines the loopholes in the requirements.
• The software implementation testing encourages an environment of cooperation among the developers, testers, and other team members.

Disadvantages of Software Implementation Testing

The disadvantages of the software implementation testing are listed below −

• The software implementation testing does not work well in agile development projects, where the code may be updated numerous times in various iterations. In such situations, it makes the test implementation unproductive.
• Also during the iterative development projects, the code gets modified in different iterations, so the test implementation becomes ineffective, the preexisting test cases are irrelevant, and they would require regular maintenance.
• Even for the poorly managed waterfall development projects where the requirements are undergoing changes, an early test implementation is not very helpful.

Because of the above points, the below factors should be considered by the test managers before performing the software implementation testing −

• Determine the correct type of the software development life cycle adopted for the software development.
• Identify all the features which need to be tested.
• Get an insight of the frequency at which the requirements will be undergoing changes.
• Determine the probability of code modifications in between the iterations.

Tasks Involved in Software Implementation Testing

The tasks involved in the software implementation testing are listed below −

• Create and prioritize the test methodologies.
• Design the test harness.
• Prepare the test suites from the test methodologies.
• Generate the test data for test execution.
• Come up with a final set of test cases which will be reviewed.
• Adopt automation wherever possible.
• Configure the test environment as per the guidelines.

Conclusion

This concludes our comprehensive take on the tutorial on Software Implementation Testing. Weve started with describing what is software implementation testing, what are the responsibilities of test manager in software implementation testing, test implementation and test automation, what are the disadvantages of software implementation testing, what are the advantages of software implementation testing, and what are the tasks involved in the software implementation testing. This equips you with in-depth knowledge of Software Implementation Testing. It is wise to keep practicing what youve learned and exploring others relevant to Software Testing to deepen your understanding and expand your horizons.