FAT "Factory Acceptance Test"
8 GOLDEN RULES FOR SUCCESS:
1) FROM THE PROJECT'S BEGINNING, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO HAND OVER THE GANTT TO THE SPECIALIST TECHNICIAN, NOT DOING SO COULD COMPROMISE THE FINAL RESULT.
2) ASSIGNING TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ORDER TO THE SPECIALISED TECHNICIAN. WHOEVER STARTS THE PROJECT FOLLOWS IT THROUGH TO THE END. ALTERNATING SPECIALISED TECHNICIANS COULD LEAD TO FAILURE.
3) MAKE SURE THAT SPECIALIZED TECHNICIANS ARE PRESENT AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE TEST. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY PRACTICAL PROBLEMS WHICH MAY NOT BE EVIDENT TO ENGINEERS.
4) BEST-IN-CLASS COMPANIES HAVE AN INFALLIBLE METHODOLOGY, THEY COME TO THE FAT PREPARED AND WITH HIGHLY SPECIALISED PERSONNEL. SMALLER COMPANIES TEND TO 'COVER UP' PROBLEMS AND COME TO THE FAT UNPREPARED.
5) DEVELOP A DETAILED TEST PLAN, ENSURING ALL DOCUMENTATION IS COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE.
6) RUN PRELIMINARY SIMULATIONS TO AVERT POSSIBLE PROBLEMS BY ENSURING THAT THE TEAM IS AWARE OF ALL PROCEDURES.
7) PAY ATTENTION TO THE POINTS THAT HISTORICALLY HAVE PRESENTED PROBLEMS, PREPARE BACKUPS AND CONTINGENCY PLANS TO ALWAYS BE READY FOR ANY POSSIBLE UNEXPECTED.
8) PREPARE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE THE CUSTOMER COMFORTABLE: LARGE TABLES WITH WATER AND GLASSES, COMFORTABLE CHAIRS, INTERNET CONNECTION, ELECTRICAL SOCKETS, LARGE PEDESTAL WHITEBOARD, AND EVERYTHING THAT COULD HELP THE CUSTOMER FEEL AT HOME.
NOW YOU ARE READY, GOOD LUCK!