Testing is a crucial phase of any new tech implementation.
Without it, you risk bugs and bumps in the road that might erode trust and discourage adoption when your Salesforce project needs momentum the most.
Rather than afterthought, the project testing phase can be an exciting part of process – after all the time spent in the discovery and implementation phases of the project, you can now experience the solution in situ for the first time, and iron out any creases you encounter.
Since it’s a critically important phase, though, it needs the right attention and resources.
Done well, your testing will capture any changes required, prove the solution can support the business’ processes, and fast-track the road to deployment. It provides great value to the development life cycle, refining the entire process and ensuring superior quality. Not only does it bring the product closer to what the end user wants, but it reduces maintenance costs and improves usability.
But if implementation testing is poorly conducted, there’s a big risk of problems further down the line.
Here are five ways to ensure your project implementation testing stays on the right track.
1. Take your time to test
Many businesses can struggle to find the time to dedicate to testing. However, it’s critically important that time is not only found, but that it’s also used efficiently and effectively. Testing continually throughout the whole project is important too, so that when the official testing phase is reached, some problems have been identified and fixed. This way, fewer resources are wasted on fixing problems that have become embedded in the system – for example, user flows or architecture. Find these errors before they become significant problems.
2. Agree on scope of testing and test strategy
To keep the project testing on track, it’s important to agree on the parameters and strategy of testing. For example, where you’re testing (browsers and devices) and to confirm you’re testing the right business scenarios and processes. It’s also important to agree when a test case should be discontinued – for example, if step one fails, discontinue the test. The testing strategy should outline what testing is being undertaken and at what stage of the project, such as unit testing, functional and non-functional testing, performance testing and regression testing, as well as the length of the testing window.
3. Appoint a test lead
The test lead is the most critical role in the testing phase – this person needs to have been involved throughout the project so they have a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the scope and desired outcomes. It’s imperative they know what they’re testing, and the processes and procedures around that. This role is the conduit between the development team and the internal team, and is there to ensure the consistency of data over multiple user roles. The test lead acts as ‘point’ for testing, ensuring the testing is carried out within the agreed parameters and timescales, and that agreed processes are followed.
4. Remember the importance of communication
Briefings with the testing team are essential, particularly at the beginning of the test phase. These briefings will align expectations on what is being tested and how results should be recorded.
Throughout the process, communication between the testing team and the development team is hugely important – in fact, this is where a project can fall down. Be aware of the data that’s being collected and the reports that are being generated, and choose to share what’s relevant. Both parties should be in continual discussion to enable a concentrated focus on priorities. Reporting requirements – including frequency and personnel – should be established upfront to enable expectations to be met and keep all stakeholders aligned.
5. Make use of automation
Of course, not all testing needs to be done manually – there are a multitude of CRM testing tools out there that can robustly test more repetitive tasks. By building a solid automation framework, automated testing tools can help save time, auto-generate test scenarios and ultimately help automate a number of tasks, both pre- and post-deployment.
By having a clear testing strategy and framework at the outset, and consciously communicating throughout the process, the chances of a successful implementation are greatly increased. By embracing early testing, having a clear and agreed test focus and making use of automation where possible, businesses can efficiently and effectively progress from the project testing phase to full implementation – and be confident that any major issues have been identified and remedied.
Look for flexible resourcing options
Again, this is a vital phase of any project, but we know the work can be difficult to balance – after all, BAU workloads don’t just disappear.
Find out how Simplus Managed Services provides a dedicated team of specialists who can help you clear backlogs, find new efficiencies and keep your business humming along.
