Testing and Quality Assurance|Computer Science
Introduction
Data migration is an important element to consider when adopting a new system. Data migration process is very crucial within any organization and failure in this phase can be catastrophic. According to Bloor, a researcher, data migration have tendency to fail as about 60 percent of IT project have not succeeded due to poor data migration plan. The following describes user accepting plans for Brewton Enterprises as company seeks to finish its last phase in the implementation of the new software.
Data Conversion Plan
A project manager must ensure that a data conversion plan have four essential features. First, a data conversion plan must be robust and resilient i.e. must manage all the aspects of data extraction, transformation, validation, and cleansing. Second, a data migration plan must be rapid i.e. must take advantage of the target facilities so as to enable rapid processing. Third, a data conversion plan must be recoverable incase failure happens. Lastly, a data migration plan must be reusable i.e. it must have the ability to reuse components in other systems. A project manager must then choose which data conversion strategy is the best and most suitable according to the needs of the organization. There are two types of migration strategies which are trickle migrations and big bang migrations. For this case trickle migration is the best as it takes an incremental approach to migrating data. Additionally, this strategy provides zero downtime and can also be implemented with real-time processes to move data.
The first process of migrating existing data to the testing platform is planning. In here the project manager defines what is achievable in terms of what data sources. Additionally, it is at this stage that scope is redefined, a resource plan, and a plan budget is set-up. During scope refinement, it is where a high-level analysis is done of the target and source systems is conducted in a close consultation with business users. It is at this stage that an analysis of the existing system as well as the new system is done so as to understand how the new system works. A review and documenting the existing code is also done.
The second process is data assessment. In here the project manager assesses the quality of the source data. Data profiling is also done here. Profiling helps in identifying data defects. Additionally, data assessment helps in evaluating the conformity of the data and also ensuring that data is compliant to project requirements of the target system. Data assessment also includes examining the actual record value of its metadata information. Through data assessment a project manager is able to identify whether data fits the business purpose. The project manager is also able to successfully integrate the source data using the data quality process.
The third process is migration design. In here the project manager is required to define the technical architecture and design the migration processes. Additionally, the project manager is required to define testing processes. In this phase is also where the project manager includes data migration timelines and all the technical details. The forth process is execution. In here data extracted from the source system, transformed, cleansed and it is then loaded into the target system the rules of data migration. This phase requires synchronizing the source and the target data after the initial data load is finished.
The last phase is testing, follow-up and maintenance. In this process is where one ensures that all the data has been successfully migrated and met all organization requirements. It is also where a system retirement policy is created to address the old system. Additionally, ongoing data quality enhancement is also done and monitor the quality of data of the new system (Morris, 2012).
Test Environment
One major objective of acceptance testing is to ensure that the software is ready for use and also to provide confidence. There two types of testing which are verification and validation. Validation involves the process of executing the actual code of the software while verification involves evaluating, reviewing, and inspecting the software. A testing environment is a set-up of hardware and software for the testing teams.
For this case the key areas to set-up in a test environment includes test data, database server, system and applications, installation guides, network, and hardware which includes the server operating system. The people involved in test environment set-up include system admins, testers, system users, and system developers. Testing environment also requires setting up of the test server and network. It also requires bug reporting tools which should be provided to the system testers (Project Management Institute, 2017).
Methods and Procedures to be used to conduct Testing
To conduct testing phase for this system. The testing team ought to create a unit test plan which identifies the features of the system to test, all inputs of the system, and all outputs of the system. It also important of the testing team to define the scope of testing and discrete values of the test data that are necessary to run the tests.
There are various methods and procedures employed by software testers to test the quality and check if a certain software has met its goals. For this software application the best methods to test the new system is to use a combination of alpha testing, acceptance testing, GUI testing and unit testing. The major aim of alpha testing is identify defects in the system before releasing it to the users. This method of testing is carried out by the system programmers aiming at identifying possible issues that can arise with the system. Acceptance testing method is performed by Brewton Enterprises users. This testing methods helps in verifying if the end to end flow of the system is as per the initial requirements. It also checks if is as per the needs of the end user of the system. Acceptance testing method is part of the last phase of functional software testing. This phase involves making sure that the system meets project requirements. This type of testing ensures that the end-user meets all the defined project requirements which was done in the requirements phase. Graphical User Interface testing tests GUI features i.e. text formatting, buttons, text boxes, font sizes and fonts. This method often involves the users, system developers and project sponsors. Unit testing involves testing individual components and modules that make-up the system (Kerzner, 2017).
Conclusion
The ultimate aim of data migration is improve Brewton Enterprises performance and deliver a competitive advantage. To succeed in this project, data migration phase must be given the attention it deserves, rather than simply considering it part of larger underlying project.
References
Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management. Place of publication not identified: John Wiley & Sons.
Morris, J. (2012). Practical Data Migration. Swindon: British Informatics Society Limited
Project Management Institute. (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge: (PMBOK® guide). Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA: Project Management Institute.
.
