This article is part seven of a ten-part series that will focus on lessons learned from decades of project and program management within higher education.
Implementing an ERP system in higher education is a complex process that requires meticulous testing to ensure its success. Here are some key lessons learned to help maximize the effectiveness of your testing:
Identify Testing Scope and Document Early
- Manage Expectations: Clearly define and document the scope of testing early in the project. This helps manage stakeholder expectations and provides a roadmap for the testing process.
- Develop Test Scenarios: Use initial requirements as the foundation for developing comprehensive test scenarios. This ensures all necessary functionalities are tested.
Record Test Results
- Consistent Documentation: Test results should be meticulously recorded during all testing cycles, not just end-to-end and User Acceptance Testing (UAT). This practice helps track progress and identify issues early.
- Utilize Tools: Leverage tools to record and manage test results efficiently. These tools can help in maintaining a clear audit trail and streamline the testing process.
Leverage Implementer\Vendor Tools
- Payroll Parallel and Performance Testing: Use implementer and vendor tools specifically designed for payroll parallel and performance testing. These tools can provide valuable insights and ensure the system performs well under load.
Create Dedicated Testing Spaces
- Physical or Virtual Labs: While having a dedicated physical space for testing is optimal, virtual labs can be equally effective. Use online collaboration tools to support remote participation and create a focused environment for testing.
Use Converted Data for Valid Results
- Realistic Testing: Ensure the use of converted data in testing to achieve valid results. This practice helps simulate real-world scenarios and identify potential issues before deployment.
Focus on Real-World Scenarios in Integration Testing
- Beyond Happy Path: Integration testing should focus on real-world scenarios, not just the “happy path” where everything works as expected. Test for potential issues and edge cases to ensure robustness.
Validate Security Roles and Separation of Duties
- Security Testing: Include test scenarios to validate security roles and ensure proper separation of duties. This helps prevent unauthorized access and maintains data integrity.
Reporting Testing Results
- Planned vs. Actual Completion: Report the planned versus actual completion of test scenarios. This helps track progress and identify delays or issues.
- Defects and Their Status: Document open defects, their severity, status, and assigned personnel for resolution. This helps prioritize and address issues promptly.
- Requirements Traceability: Track testing progress against the original requirements. This ensures all requirements are tested and helps identify any gaps.
- Organize by Business Process: Report testing results organized by business process (e.g., procurement, hiring, registration). This approach highlights potential risk areas and helps focus on critical functionalities.
Conclusion
By following these best practices and lessons learned, higher education institutions can ensure a thorough and effective testing phase for their ERP implementations. Proper planning, comprehensive documentation, and focused testing can significantly enhance the success of the ERP project, leading to a smoother deployment and better overall system performance.
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About the author:
Christopher (Chris) Mercer has over forty years of experience in higher education, including the last twenty-five years consulting as an Executive Program/Project Director/Manager and other leadership roles. Chris has managed or been engaged in more than four dozen programs\projects during his career.