How do you test and validate the accuracy and completeness of migrated data?

1 Define test objectives and scope

Before you start testing and validating migrated data, you need to define your test objectives and scope, based on the data migration strategy and plan. The test objectives should specify what you want to achieve and measure, such as data quality, performance, functionality, security, or compliance. The test scope should define what data elements, sources, targets, and processes are included or excluded from the test, and how they are prioritized and categorized. By defining your test objectives and scope, you can align your test activities with your business goals and expectations, and avoid wasting time and resources on irrelevant or redundant tests.

2 Design test cases and scenarios

Once you have defined your test objectives and scope, you need to design your test cases and scenarios, based on the data migration specifications and rules. A test case is a set of inputs, outputs, and expected results for a specific test. A test scenario is a collection of related test cases that cover a particular feature or function of the migrated data. You should design your test cases and scenarios to cover different aspects of the migrated data, such as structure, format, content, logic, transformation, mapping, validation, reconciliation, or error handling. You should also consider different types of tests, such as unit tests, integration tests, system tests, user acceptance tests, or regression tests, depending on the level and complexity of the data migration.

3 Prepare test data and environment

After you have designed your test cases and scenarios, you need to prepare your test data and environment, to ensure that you can execute your tests effectively and efficiently. The test data is the data that you use to run your test cases and scenarios, and it should be representative, realistic, and relevant to the migrated data. The test environment is the hardware, software, network, and configuration that you use to perform your tests, and it should be isolated, stable, and consistent with the production environment. You should prepare your test data and environment by selecting, extracting, masking, anonymizing, or generating the data that you need for your tests, and by setting up, configuring, or deploying the tools, systems, or applications that you use for your tests.

4 Execute test cases and scenarios

When you have prepared your test data and environment, you can execute your test cases and scenarios, to verify and validate the accuracy and completeness of migrated data. You can execute your test cases and scenarios manually or automatically, depending on the availability, feasibility, and suitability of the test tools and methods. You should execute your test cases and scenarios according to the test plan and schedule, and record the test results and outcomes, such as pass or fail, success or failure, or deviation or discrepancy. You should also monitor and measure the test performance and quality indicators, such as speed, throughput, latency, reliability, or accuracy.

5 Analyze test results and outcomes

After you have executed your test cases and scenarios, you need to analyze your test results and outcomes, to evaluate and assess the accuracy and completeness of migrated data. You should analyze your test results and outcomes by comparing the actual results and outcomes with the expected results and outcomes, and by identifying and reporting any issues, errors, defects, or anomalies. You should also analyze the root causes and impacts of the issues, errors, defects, or anomalies, and determine the corrective actions or preventive measures that are needed to resolve or prevent them. You should also document and communicate your test findings and recommendations, and provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

6 Repeat test cycle until satisfaction

Finally, you need to repeat your test cycle until you achieve the desired level of accuracy and completeness of migrated data. You should repeat your test cycle by implementing the corrective actions or preventive measures that you have identified in the previous step, and by re-executing the affected or relevant test cases and scenarios. You should also review and update your test objectives, scope, cases, scenarios, data, environment, plan, or schedule as needed, to reflect any changes or modifications in the data migration requirements or specifications. You should repeat your test cycle until you meet the acceptance criteria or quality standards that you have defined for the migrated data, and until you obtain the approval or sign-off from the stakeholders or users.

7 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?