Steps to follow for Service Validation and Testing

Service Validation and Testing

 

 

Introduction

Service Validation and Testing ensures that deployed releases and the resulting services meet customer expectations, and to verify that IT operations can support new services. Service Validation and Testing defines the testing of services during the Service Transition phase.  This will ensure that new or changed services are fit for purpose (this is known as utility) and fit for use (this is known as warranty).

Service Validation and Testing’s goal is to make sure the delivery of activities adds value that is agreed and expected.  If testing hasn’t been carried out properly, additional Incidents and Problems will arise.

Activities in Service validation and testing

 

There are a number of activities for Service Validation and Testing, these include:

Validation and Test Management

Service Validation and test management are crucial components of the software development life cycle. They ensure that software applications meet the desired quality standards and are free from defects. The validation phase involves evaluating the software against user requirements and specifications to determine its correctness and fitness for purpose. This process includes activities like requirement validation, design validation, and user acceptance testing. Test management, on the other hand, focuses on planning, organizing, and controlling the testing activities throughout the development process.

In validation and test management, a systematic approach is essential to ensure thorough coverage and effective testing. This involves creating test plans, defining test cases, and executing them to uncover defects and verify the software’s functionality. The test management process includes activities like test prioritization, resource allocation, test execution tracking, and defect management. It also involves collaborating with different stakeholders, such as developers, business analysts, and end-users, to ensure clear communication and alignment of objectives.

Proper validation and test management contribute to the overall success of software projects. They help in identifying and addressing issues early in the development cycle, reducing the risk of costly errors in the final product. Through effective test management, organizations can ensure comprehensive testing coverage, improve the quality of their software, and enhance customer satisfaction. By incorporating best practices, such as test automation, continuous integration, and regular reviews, validation and test management can streamline the testing process and deliver robust and reliable software solutions.

Test Planning and design

Test planning and design for Service Validation are crucial in the software testing process that lay the foundation for successful testing. Test planning involves determining the scope, objectives, and approach of the testing activities. It includes identifying the test requirements, defining the test strategy, and creating a comprehensive test plan. Test planning also involves resource allocation, scheduling, and budgeting to ensure efficient and effective testing. The test plan serves as a roadmap for the testing team, outlining the testing activities, deliverables, and timelines.

Test design, on the other hand, focuses on creating detailed test cases and test scenarios based on the requirements and specifications of the software. It involves breaking down the system into smaller components and designing tests that target specific functionalities or features. Test design requires a clear understanding of the system’s architecture and behavior to ensure that all critical and high-risk areas are adequately covered. This phase also involves designing test data, selecting test techniques, and prioritizing test cases to maximize test coverage within the given constraints.

Both test planning and design are iterative processes that require collaboration between the testing team, developers, and stakeholders. They require careful analysis and consideration of the system’s requirements, risks, and dependencies to ensure comprehensive testing coverage. Well-planned and well-designed tests contribute to the overall effectiveness of the testing process by identifying defects early and providing valuable feedback for improvement.

Sample Test Scenario Template

 

Creating test scenarios for unit, system and integration testing forms part of the test strategy. Let us look at one of the templates (here is the Integration testing template).

Test Scenario ID		Test Scenario Name
System Use Case Scenario(s)	Indicate the use case scenario(s) that are tested under this scenario. One system use case scenario may be tested through multiple test scenarios, but also multiple system use case scenarios may be tested through a single test scenarios.>
Revision History
Date	Author	Version	Description
			Test Case created.
Objectives
Test Setup
Pre-Conditions
Test Data
Variable	Values
Test Procedure
Step #	Step Details			Expected Result
01
02
03
Comments
Actual Results	<PASS/FAIL/SKIPPED>
Completed
Signed Out
Test Log
Date	Tester Name	Actual Results (Pass/Fail)	Comments

Verification of Test Plan and Design

Verification of the test plan and design ensures the completeness, accuracy, and effectiveness of the test plan and design documents. It involves a thorough review and evaluation of the test plan and design to validate that they meet the specified requirements and objectives. During this verification process, stakeholders and experts assess the clarity and consistency of the test plan and design, checking if they align with the project’s goals, scope, and available resources. By conducting a rigorous verification, organizations can identify any gaps, ambiguities, or potential issues early on, allowing for necessary refinements and improvements to be made before the actual testing phase begins.

Prepare and create a baseline for the test environment

Preparing and creating a baseline of the test environment involves capturing and documenting the initial state of the environment to establish a reference point for future testing activities. Here are the steps involved in preparing and making a baseline of your test environment:

 

1. Define the baseline criteria: Determine the specific elements and components that need to be included in the baseline. This can include hardware configurations, software versions, network settings, databases, and any other relevant components that make up the test environment.
2. Set up the initial environment: Create the initial test environment by installing the required software, configuring hardware, setting up networks, and deploying any necessary infrastructure components. Ensure that the environment closely resembles the production environment or the target environment for testing.
3. Document the baseline: Document all the relevant information about the initial state of the environment. This can include detailed hardware specifications, software versions, network configurations, database schemas, and any other relevant settings or configurations. Take screenshots, capture system logs, and record any specific details that are essential for replicating the baseline in the future.
4. Establish version control: Use version control tools or mechanisms to manage and track changes to the test environment. This helps maintain a record of any modifications or updates made to the baseline over time and allows for easy rollback or reference to previous states if needed.
5. Validate the baseline: Verify the baseline environment to ensure that it accurately represents the desired initial state for testing. Validate that all the required components are properly installed, configured, and functioning as expected. This can involve conducting basic tests or checks to confirm the integrity of the baseline.
6. Secure and protect the baseline: Take measures to secure and protect the baseline from unauthorized changes or modifications. Implement access controls, backups, and other security measures to ensure the integrity and availability of the baseline environment.

Cleanup and Closure of the test environment

During the cleanup process, all test data, files, and databases used during the testing phase are securely deleted or archived, ensuring that sensitive information is properly handled and protected. Test configurations, settings, and environment variables are reset to their initial values, ensuring that the environment is free from any test-specific configurations that might interfere with production operations. Additionally, any temporary resources or virtual machines that were set up for testing purposes are decommissioned or removed to optimize resource utilization.

Closure of the test environment involves documenting the test results, issues, and lessons learned during the testing process. Test reports, defect logs, and any other relevant documentation are compiled and stored for future reference or audit purposes. It is also important to communicate the closure of the test environment to the relevant stakeholders, such as project managers, developers, and other members of the testing team. This ensures that everyone is aware that the testing phase has concluded and that the environment is ready for the next phase or project.

Authored by Vijay Chander – All rights reserved – 2023