QW2002 Paper 2A2 Mr. Peter Lafleur (Public Works & Government Services Canada) Testing a large scale application

Key Points

• Start or improve the process of testing a large scale web application.
• Adapt some of the techniques presented to your specific project needs.
• Apply cost saving and practical approaches to your own projects.
• Understand the areas of your organization impacted by Web conversion.

Presentation Abstract

This article describes a strategic and systemic approach to testing a large scale application conversion to the Web based on the experience gained from the first phase of conversion.

Public Works and Government Services Canada is a department of the Government of Canada currently participating in major infrastructure software development projects that will enable existing applications and facilities to be accessible as multi-tiered web-based applications. The Common Departmental Financial System(CDFS) is an internally developed back-office application offered to other government departments which is being transitioned from a client server architecture to a multi-tiered web architecture. CDFS is the financial management system of choice for 20 government departments with in excess of 1000 full time users.

The transition is planned to tale place over a three year-period. This paper describes the process followed, including the development and application of standards and checklists to facilitate effective and efficient testing of a large, scale web-enabled application. It will focus on the impact on 30+ experienced testers and developers as well as the problems faced in transforming current facilities with limited resources. Special testing concerns are introduced by the fact the current data server will remain static while the client server will be replaced by a web server hosted on a different mainframe.

Although, the team of software development and testing professionals working with the Financial and Reporting Products Directorate has considerable experience in testing traditional mainframe and client-server applications. The management challenge is to leverage this experience and practically apply the knowledge to new and emerging web based technologies.

This article will describe the approach taken, some of the problems encountered in this transition including developing new approaches to knowledge transfer supplemented with real examples and lessons learned which will be applied to subsequent phases.

About the Author

Peter Lafleur is a manager and business analyst with the Government of Canada with 25+ years experience in the areas of quality assurance, development and testing of government systems.