An Ultimate Guide for ERP Testing

With growing demand for ERP tools, the demand for testing professionals has also increased quite significantly. In fact, ERP execution projects expend more than fifty percent on testing and concerned functionalities. Most important aspect that the beginners in ERP arena should keep in mind is that ERP is not just software; it’s rather a business solution. The first thing that they need to ensure is that the concerned tool effectively automates the business process and maintains workflow.

Having Clarity of ERP Basics

ERP is the abbreviated term for Enterprise Resource Planning. In simple words, when an enterprise goes for effective planning of boosting productivity and efficacy upon strategic implementation of resources, then it is termed as the ERP. Here the resources primarily include manpower, machinery, strategy, and material.

Any ERP tool you think of is developed, taking the above aspects in mind. In modern times, it is quite imperative for companies to have an effective ERP tool in accordance with their business. An enterprise might be a thing of using multiple tools as well, in accordance with the specific need of concerned department.

Some departments use software in Oracle, whereas the others those in Microsoft. Software developed by IBM is quite popular among the warehouse departments. It’s not just the technology; software also differs in terms of databases. All these aspects are taken into account while doing testing.

Data Transaction

One of the prime aspects that must be ensured while doing ERP testing is the data transaction. Availability of data is equally quite important for flawless testing. When data of one department doesn’t remain available for the other is obvious to affect the testing process. This is the reason that enterprises are emphasized about centralized storing of data. Smooth access of data at managerial level is quite essential. In fact, this is where the effectiveness of ERP software is judged. It has to be ensured through testing that the associated employees get access to the live data, with complete safety assurance.

Strategizing and Building A Team for Execution of ERP Testing

It is true that ERP implementation in most of the occasions doesn’t become successful due to faulty testing strategy. It is important for a testing professional first to have a thorough knowledge of types of ERP systems prior to realizing importance of ERP testing.

In this context, ERP testing service providers categorize testing teams into following two types:

Core Team of Testing

This team remains dedicated to testing the fundamental ERP software.

Testing Team for Implementation

This team remains associated with implementation for testing both the core and customized functionalities.

In those occasions where specs and functionalities are personalized in accordance with the need of the client, the effect is felt on different modules and units. It is essential for testing teams to have proper hilt over every single change and the concerned effect for the entire execution.

Automation of ERP Testing

In general, ERP companies have a devoted team for testing of their ERP systems. Testing of a bigger system is advised to be ensured of making completely automated. In accordance with the needs, it is essential to establish an automated framework for testing and also set a proper infrastructure for the same.

So much emphasis is given on ERP testing as manual testing consumes adequate time for completion of the first round of testing. It is very much apparent that ERP implementation can never be successful unless each component of a system is thoroughly tested.

Preparing A Thorough Road-Map

It is highly essential for the testing professionals to have proper road-map prior to execution. Things get even strategic upon having a proper checklist for testing. It is here to note that the efforts needed for testing are often equivalent as of the development. Hence, the testing teams are advised to establish a strong platform and roadmap for minimizing the effort. This can enhance overall productivity.

Checklists Must Be Followed for Desired Outcome of ERP Testing

1. The first thing that needs to be checked is the identification of the testing scope and ensure whether the testing is meant for the core product or final implementation project.
2. Testing professionals must identify the entire set of modules there within the product essential for application as part of testing. At the same time, the prospect customers must be identified, and so the users, along with the different segments associated with execution.
3. There should be proper clarity on testing for preparing an effective plan, conducting the tests, preparing testing suites, and making the complete report ready. In concurrence, the status of earlier testing strategies must be thoroughly checked, having execution strategies ready for the application.
4. It is important for a tester to figure out the business methods to be tested and those which are essential to be automated. Testing professionals should also analyze the available framework of testing for manual testing and automation, ensuring everything is executed strategically.
5. Testers must ensure that the available or desired automated testing tool is thoroughly configured. Moreover, the framework must be thoroughly tested, ensuring execution is flawlessly done.
6. There must be a thorough quality assurance strategy established, having quality norms figured out to conduct ERP testing, be it manually or automated.
7. Testing professionals must do a thorough analysis of automation test scripts for the entire businesses, taking case scenarios into account and ensuring these are thoroughly reviewed and acknowledged.
8. Testers must figure out the best practices for enhancing the efficacy of testing, be it about hands-on execution or automated. Best recommendation would be about establishing a team of testers that must be comprised of expert professionals with an adequate skill for conducting both kinds of ERP testing.
9. There should be a thorough testing framework established for keeping the test scripts that can be used again through the process of automation.
10. It is essential to prepare explicit strategies for automating the modules that can’t be tested, or those that consume comparatively more time.
11. Testers must have the clarity of modes of figuring out the testing data collection process for inputs and outputs. Also, they must check the status of domain experts for the analysis of data generated.

All said and done, prior delving into ERP testing, it is essential for the testing professionals to have clarity on processes and methods, and the aspects make things challenging. Once all these are ready, testing professionals must have the road-map and set-up a team to execute the process.