How do you evaluate new database features?

2 Set up a test environment

A test environment should be a separate and isolated instance of your database system, mimicking your production environment as closely as possible. Testing new features or functionalities on your production database can cause errors, data loss, or downtime, so it's important to use a test environment. For the environment to accurately represent your production environment, it should have the same hardware, software, and configuration. It should also use a copy or subset of your production data, or realistic synthetic data that reflects your data volume, variety, and quality. Additionally, the test environment should have the same security and access controls as your production environment (or stricter ones), and the same backup and recovery procedures (or more frequent ones) to protect your test data.

3 Execute your test cases

When you have your test environment and test plan ready, you can start executing your test cases and scenarios. To ensure a smooth and effective testing process, it's important to run your test cases in a logical and systematic order, beginning with the most basic and essential ones. A combination of automated and manual testing methods should be used, depending on the type and scope of the feature or functionality being tested. Additionally, performance, reliability, and accuracy should be monitored and measured using appropriate tools and metrics. Any issues, errors, or anomalies that occur during the testing process should be recorded and reported with a standard format and tracking system. Lastly, the test results should be compared against the expected outcomes and evaluation criteria with a standard method and scoring system.

4 Review and validate your test results

After completing your test cases and scenarios, you need to review and validate your test results to determine if the new feature or functionality meets your requirements and expectations, as well as verify if it is compatible with your existing database system and operations. To review and validate your test results, you should summarize and consolidate them using a standard template and reporting tool. Additionally, you should evaluate and rate your test results and issues with a standard scale and weighting system. You should also identify and prioritize the issues that need to be resolved, fixed, or escalated using a standard classification and ranking system. Moreover, you should communicate and share your test results and issues with the relevant stakeholders via a standard channel and feedback mechanism. Finally, you should decide on the next steps and actions such as approving, rejecting, or modifying the new feature or functionality using a standard procedure and sign-off process.

5 Repeat and refine your testing process

Testing and evaluating new database features and functionalities is not a one-time activity, but rather an iterative and continuous process. To keep up with the changing needs and demands of your business, you should always monitor and update your database system. Additionally, you should test and evaluate any changes or updates before deploying them to your production environment. To repeat and refine your testing process, review and revise your testing plan and strategy based on the feedback from previous tests. Set up a test environment that reflects your current production environment and data, then execute and monitor test cases with the latest tools. Review and validate the results with the most relevant criteria and metrics. Repeat the process until you achieve the desired quality, performance, and compatibility of your database features.

6 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?