5 tips for starting ERP testing

Are you using an ERP system in your organization or implementing one soon? Are you thinking about ERP testing? It certainly doesn’t come without challenges but find our how to overcome them here.

1. Allocating time for testing

ERP testing is a time-consuming process that requires careful planning and execution. It is important to allocate enough time for it. Often, organizations underestimate the time required for testing, resulting in rushed testing that can lead to missed defects and poor-quality go live. 

To overcome, it is important to make a realistic time estimate. In doing so, do not forget planning, execution and reporting. Besides that, it is important to factor in any unforeseen issues that may arise during testing. On average, about 30% of the total project duration has proven to be sufficient applied to a range of ERP projects.

2. Having a clear plan of what and when to test

Another challenge in ERP testing is having a clear plan of what and when to test. ERP systems are complex, and testing everything is not feasible. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize testing efforts based on business-critical functionality and potential risks. 

A well-defined test plan should outline the test scope, objectives and approach. It should also specify the testing schedule and the resources required. Having a clear plan of what and when to test will help ensure that testing efforts are focused and effective.

In addition, don’t try to reinvent the wheel and opt for test management and automation solutions that contain most of the functional templates for the vanilla functionalities of your chosen ERP solution. That way, you’ll save yourself a lot of headache, time and overhead costs. 

3. Testing across functional areas and use of proper test data

ERP systems encompass multiple functional areas, such as finance, procurement and inventory management. Testing across all these areas is crucial to ensure that the system functions as intended. However, testing across functional areas can be challenging, as it requires domain expertise and a thorough understanding of the business processes.

Additionally, testing must be performed using proper test data that accurately reflects the production environment. So, it is essential to involve subject matter experts in the testing process and ensure that the test data is valid and up to date. Don’t beat yourself up over the data part though. Did you know that data virtualization is a true life saver on that front?

4. Forming the test team

An effective test team should have a diverse range of skills. Including technical, functional and testing expertise. Next to that, they need a clear understanding of the business processes and the system requirements. However, forming such a team can be challenging, especially for small organizations with limited resources.

If this is the case, organizations may consider outsourcing testing services. This can be done by working with a testing partner who is skilled in ERP testing and can help you in an ERP solution of your choice.

5. Managing and tracking test results to make informed decisions

Finally, it is important to properly manage and track test results. Testing generates a significant amount of data, including defects, test cases and test execution results. Managing this data can be challenging, especially when testing is performed across multiple cycles.

It is essential to track test results and use them to make informed decisions about the system’s quality and readiness for production. Organizations can use test management tools to manage and track test results, automate testing processes and generate reports. 

Conclusion

ERP testing is a critical component of ERP implementation. Enough time for testing, having a clear plan, testing across functional areas, proper test data, forming an effective test team, and managing and tracking test results are the five most common challenges in ERP testing. However, by addressing these, organizations can ensure that their ERP system is of high quality and have a successful go live.