Have you ever felt the frustration of ERP testing phases always taking longer than expected? In this blog, we delve into the top five reasons behind these delays and propose reasonable solutions to break the time barrier in ERP implementation testing.
Even with renowned ERP systems such as SAP, Dayforce, Sage, and MS Dynamics, it is hard to escape from a fair share of challenges. However, a persistent pain point arises from the extended time required for the Functional Acceptance, User Acceptance, and End-to-End testing phases. But what is the reason behind this since it’s ‘’just configuration’’?
Here are the top five causes of ERP testing delays:
1. Incomplete Requirements
Due to incomplete requirements and processes, many ERP implementations hit a roadblock during the acceptance testing phases. The key to overcoming this hurdle lies in involving all stakeholders, planning multiple workshops, and leveraging workable demos to ensure comprehensive understanding and confirmation from implementation partners or system vendors. Part of this phase should be done before signing the vendor contract.
2. Not Involving Independent Testers
Relying solely on Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) or superusers for testing can lead to inefficiencies. Instead, engage independent test teams—internal or external—to prepare and execute test cases systematically. Professional testers bring expertise in testing methodologies, ensuring a balanced focus on essential areas and risk mitigation.
3. Insufficient Unit Testing
The omission of unit testing often results in a flood of bugs during acceptance testing, which could have been prevented with thorough testing during the development/configuration phase. Prioritizing unit testing minimizes critical issues downstream, saving significant time and resources.
4. Bypassing Entry Criteria
Entry Criteria serve as essential checkpoints to ensure readiness for the next testing phase. Resist pressure to bypass these criteria, as doing so can lead to inaccurate estimations and project delays. Stay vigilant and uphold the integrity of the testing process to maintain project timelines.
5. Inadequate Time Allocation for Acceptance Testing
Acceptance testing phases frequently suffer from insufficient time allocation, despite the complexity of ERP implementations. Embrace a risk-based approach while planning multiple rounds of testing to accommodate bug retesting, regression, and inevitable changes. Clear estimations of required testers and developer availability are paramount for success.
Conclusion
So, the conclusion is that these five points enlightened some of the most critical challenges in ERP testing, but the list doesn’t end there. While some may consider test automation as a solution, it’s important to know its limitations in the ERP implementation landscape.
About the Author
With over 20 years of experience as a Test Manager at spriteCloud, Anko specializes in steering international ERP implementations toward success through strategic test management. His main goal is to optimize clients’ ERP testing strategies in the most effective way possible.
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