When deploying enabling technologies in complex supply chain management (SCM) environments, there is significant business benefit in a rigorous testing methodology for validating solution design and performance in each unique deployment. Since plan quality is mission critical in SCM, it is imperative that an appropriate, collaborative testing strategy be developed and executed, especially for highly configurable, data-sensitive applications, to ensure deployment success.
Robust SCM planning applications tend to be highly configurable and extremely data-intensive, such that few deployments are exactly alike. In such contexts it is unrealistic to expect the software solution provider to rigorously test every conceivable solution configuration and data combination within any given software release cycle, implying that each separate instance of software deployment may contain some untested configurations. The testing requirement in these business scenarios inevitably begins to resemble that of purely custom development, where the need for thorough testing is much more intuitive. Given the fact that such systems are mission critical, where deployment failure is unacceptable, it is essential that a collaborative approach to testing be adopted by both the business and the software solution provider.
Designing an effective test strategy in a complex SCM environment requires an intimate knowledge of both the business and functional requirements, as well as the software solution design, features and capabilities. Since it is uncommon for the solution provider to have an intimate knowledge of the business context, and unlikely for business users to be adequately familiar with design and capability of the software application, it is difficult for either party to effectively construct and execute test plans in isolation, so a collaborative effort between the business and the software solution provider in test plan creation and execution is a must.
Unless SCM program managers have relevant prior experience implementing these types of complex systems, they may not realize the importance of their team’s participation in the testing and validation effort, expecting this to be the sole responsibility of the software solution provider. Such a hands-off approach is often a recipe for failure. It is critical that business managers understand this requirement, and adopt a collaborative role in the testing process, even taking ownership and driving it, working closely with the software solution provider in joint-partnership to ensure deployment success.
In the coming posts, we’ll consider four distinct types of tests, and how each plays a key role in an integrated, comprehensive, effective SCM testing strategy.