What are some key challenges and risks of system testing?

由人工智能和领英社区提供技术支持

System testing is a crucial phase of software development, where the whole system is evaluated against the requirements and specifications. However, system testing also poses several challenges and risks that can affect the quality, cost, and schedule of the project. In this article, we will discuss some of the key challenges and risks of system testing, and how to overcome or mitigate them.

此文章中的业界达人

由社区从 2 条内容中精选。了解更多

Karen Russell

Expert Principal BSA/PO/PM with systems/data/process analysis and testing. Certified PMP, PMI-ACP. E2E project…

1 Scope and complexity

System testing involves testing the system as a whole, including its functionality, performance, reliability, security, usability, and compatibility. This means that system testing has to cover a wide range of scenarios, inputs, outputs, and interactions. Moreover, system testing has to deal with the complexity of the system architecture, the integration of various components, and the dependencies on external systems or resources. These factors can make system testing difficult to plan, execute, and manage, and can increase the risk of errors, defects, or failures.

To address this challenge, system testing should be based on a clear and comprehensive test plan that defines the scope, objectives, criteria, and methods of testing. The test plan should also identify the test cases, test data, test environment, and test tools that are needed for system testing. Additionally, system testing should be aligned with the requirements and specifications, and should use traceability matrices to ensure that all the requirements are covered and verified by the test cases.

添加您的观点

Kemi Lewis

Getting Magic Done Practitioner | C-Suite Advisor | Systems Engineering Yoda| Chief Systems Engineer | IFEC Expert | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt
举报内容
Key challenges include incomplete or changing requirements leading to missed test cases, tight deadlines causing rushed or insufficient testing, and limited resources or tools hindering thorough testing. Risks involve undiscovered critical defects that can cause system failures post-release, security vulnerabilities, and non-compliance with standards. Mitigate these by prioritizing high-risk areas, automating tests where feasible, and ensuring test environments mirror production. Stay focused, tackle issues directly, and get it done.

已翻译

赞

2 Time and resources

System testing is usually performed at the end of the development cycle, when the system is ready for delivery or deployment. However, this also means that system testing has to face the pressure of meeting the deadlines and expectations of the stakeholders. Furthermore, system testing requires a lot of time and resources, such as skilled testers, adequate test environment, reliable test tools, and sufficient test data. These resources may not be readily available or sufficient for system testing, especially if the system is large, complex, or dynamic.

To overcome this challenge, system testing should be planned and scheduled in advance, and should be integrated with the development process. System testing should also use risk-based testing techniques to prioritize the most critical or risky aspects of the system, and to allocate the resources accordingly. Moreover, system testing should leverage automation, reuse, and optimization strategies to reduce the time and effort required for testing, and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of testing.

添加您的观点

3 Quality and reliability

System testing aims to ensure that the system meets the quality and reliability standards and expectations of the stakeholders. However, system testing also faces the risk of missing or overlooking some defects or issues that may affect the system performance or functionality. This can happen due to human errors, incomplete or inaccurate test cases, inadequate or invalid test data, or faulty or inconsistent test tools. These defects or issues can compromise the quality and reliability of the system, and can lead to customer dissatisfaction, reputation damage, or legal liability.

To mitigate this risk, system testing should follow a systematic and rigorous testing process that includes verification, validation, and evaluation of the system. System testing should also use various types of testing techniques, such as functional testing, non-functional testing, regression testing, and acceptance testing, to check different aspects of the system. Additionally, system testing should use quality assurance and quality control methods, such as reviews, inspections, audits, and metrics, to monitor and improve the quality and reliability of the system.

添加您的观点

Karen Russell

Expert Principal BSA/PO/PM with systems/data/process analysis and testing. Certified PMP, PMI-ACP. E2E project development, complex/problem project remediation; Can develop your BA practice, mentor staff.
举报内容
One thing I find people sometimes lose sight of is the fact that system testing is a dress rehearsal for live production. As the kinks of interconnectedness are worked out, it is important that the system testing environment is as similar to the production environment as possible. Skipping this important consideration can result in unexpected situation upon go-live as well as undesirable results, ranging from small errors to full roll back and delayed product release. Any issues stemming from environmental causes should be carefully tracked and resolved as there are just 1-2 other opportunities (user acceptance testing, parallel production processing) to simulate the production environment.

已翻译

赞

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

添加您的观点

System Requirements

+ 关注

给文章评分

我们借助人工智能创建了此文章。您认为这篇文章怎么样？

很棒不太好

举报此文章

查看全部

What are some key challenges and risks of system testing?

1

2

3

4

1 Scope and complexity

2 Time and resources

3 Quality and reliability

4 Here’s what else to consider

System Requirements

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

更多System Requirements相关文章

更多相关阅读内容