When it comes to the test phase on an IT project, it can be a very scary moment all round. Customers naturally become increasingly nervous when the test phase arrives. But why is it so important to ‘go live’ to test? Well, in my usual imaginatively minded style, I’ll explain!
Think of the Projects Team as a team of talented chefs – every chef plays a part in cultivating a new culinary masterpiece under the Head Chefs guidance. They work in a beautifully, well-equipped kitchen with the best cutting-edge equipment, all responsible for a particular element of the masterpiece. Together, they take great care in selecting the finest ingredients (configuring components) and blending them together to create the delectable dish (the IT project). Each element is meticulously crafted to ensure a perfect balance of flavours (functionality) and presentation (user interface).
Test phasing a project
As the dish nears completion, it’s time for the highly anticipated taste test! In this case, the taste testers are the expert testers who meticulously go through the project, trying out every feature to ensure it’s as delightful as expected and that each element works in harmony together. Just as a food critic would provide feedback to the chef, the customer acts as the “project critic,” offering valuable insights and suggestions during the test phase. It’s a crucial opportunity to identify any “ingredients” that might be too overpowering (bugs or errors) and suggest adjustments to enhance the overall experience.
The developers and testers continually refine the project during the test phase by making necessary adjustments to “seasoning” (configuration) until the project reaches the desired level of perfection. This is important as it tests functional useability to ensure performance is on point. Good chefs don’t put a dish on the menu until testing has a resounding positive review from the tasters, and similarly the projects team works hard to iron out any issues that crop up from the test phase. Whether a project needs more attention to improving user interface, or the customer decides upon reflection that the dish needs to be gluten free and means a switch of ingredients – the projects team will collectively listen and respond to tweak the dish to accommodate. Of course, sometimes this can mean the dish can take a little longer to perfect and reach the menu, but it’s got to be fit for purpose.
Testing phases are important, and the collaboration has to come from both sides – chefs can produce a dish that their customers are crying out for, but they can only deliver to what they’re asked and using the information provided. If a chef is told “we want a rich, creamy pasta dish. It’s got to be hearty but simple and full of flavour”, but there is a failure to mention that they’re vegan, it throws a bit of a spanner in the works later on down the line – (can you imagine the reaction you’d get from Gordon Ramsey? Someone would get F-bombed once he returned to the kitchen!) Being transparent about the components of the dish you want (or don’t want) is important to ensure the test phase throws up the minimal disruptions possible.
Undisputedly, there are different pots of specific technical processes involved for each scenario, and the element of good ‘chemistry in the kitchen’ and with the taste testers of course translates into a smoother test phase and overall success of a project or dish.
Savouring the Success
So, now when you think about a ‘test phase’ (particularly if you’re considering an IT project in the near future), remember that, whilst it is a scary part of the process, it’s actually a safeguarding mechanism to ensure that everything runs as it should, fulfilling the requirements you need it to, and give you peace of mind that identifying blips early on significantly reduce major ones once fully implemented.
Just as a chef feels a sense of accomplishment when their dish is well-received, the Projects Team at Innov8 celebrates when the test phase is successful. They take pride in knowing they have crafted a delectable IT solution that is ready to be served to the customer and creates a positive memorable experience for them. The test phase becomes a moment of excitement and satisfaction, much like the anticipation before presenting a perfectly cooked, mouthwatering dish to diners. Bon Appétit to a successful test phase and a delightful final product with Innov8!