AASHTOWare Beta Testing An Agency’s Perspective and Responsibilities Shirley Daugherty Nebraska Department of Roads

Why participate in a beta test? AASHTOWare software are your products AASHTOWare software are your products You have a vested interest in helping with beta tests to ensure a quality product You have a vested interest in helping with beta tests to ensure a quality product Adds the agency’s perspective to the process Adds the agency’s perspective to the process Opportunity for input Opportunity for input

What needs to be considered? Staff available to participate Staff available to participate Software versions required Software versions required Test environment available Test environment available Time frame for doing beta test Time frame for doing beta test Familiarity with product or subject matter Familiarity with product or subject matter

Staff available to participate Someone to manage the beta test process for the agency and coordinate with contractor Someone to manage the beta test process for the agency and coordinate with contractor IT and DBA support staff to install software and set up test database IT and DBA support staff to install software and set up test database Software users to do the hands-on testing Software users to do the hands-on testing

Software versions required What versions and service pack levels of the software are required for the beta testing ? What versions and service pack levels of the software are required for the beta testing ? –Database –Operating system –Servers –Supporting software, ie. PowerBuilder, SAS, Apache, Internet Explorer, etc.

Test environment Establish a separate test environment Establish a separate test environment Contractor access to test environment is very desirable Contractor access to test environment is very desirable Test data may or may not be provided Test data may or may not be provided Agency data to use for testing Agency data to use for testing

Testing Perform testing without agency customizations applied Perform testing without agency customizations applied After beta test is successfully completed, agency may apply any customizations and rerun the tests, if desired After beta test is successfully completed, agency may apply any customizations and rerun the tests, if desired AASHTO is not responsible for agency customizations and how they affect the product AASHTO is not responsible for agency customizations and how they affect the product

Testing (cont’d) Use test scripts provided Use test scripts provided Run through test scripts using test data, if provided Run through test scripts using test data, if provided Run through test scripts using agency data Run through test scripts using agency data Test the software the way the agency uses it Test the software the way the agency uses it

Testing (cont’d) Use the reporting mechanism provided Use the reporting mechanism provided Report all issues promptly with details and a copy of test results Report all issues promptly with details and a copy of test results Report the successful completion of each test Report the successful completion of each test

Completion of Beta Test Verify all tests were performed and results reported Verify all tests were performed and results reported If all tests were not performed for some reason, report that as well If all tests were not performed for some reason, report that as well Provide a Beta Test Summary to contractor and task force Provide a Beta Test Summary to contractor and task force

Things to Remember Don’t assume anything Don’t assume anything –That includes both the agency’s and contractor’s staff No news is not always good news No news is not always good news –Nothing reported doesn’t mean it was tested and it was satisfactory –or if reported, that it was verified and fixed

What Are We Asking From You A commitment of time that benefits you and all licensees A commitment of time that benefits you and all licensees You have a vested interest in helping with beta tests to ensure a quality product You have a vested interest in helping with beta tests to ensure a quality product We’re asking you to participate in doing these tests We’re asking you to participate in doing these tests

Questions?