Built Environment and Public Protection System Replacement Test Strategy

The Assignment

31ten was commissioned to develop and deliver a comprehensive Testing Strategy for Central Bedfordshire Council, focusing on the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phase of the Acolaid Replacement Project. Our objective was to ensure the new systems provided by Agile Applications were fully functional and met the Council’s specified needs and requirements. The strategy encompassed detailed planning, risk identification, and mitigation plans, particularly emphasising the methodology for end-to-end testing and data migration. It was not just about replacing the Acolaid platform; it was about guaranteeing that the new systems integrated smoothly with existing infrastructure like Jadu and CBC’s SharePoint tenant, assuring data integrity and continuity of service. The deliverable was a robust, actionable strategy that guided the Council through the testing process, culminating in a successful UAT phase where council staff could validate and approve the system before it went live.

The Role

Our role was to provide expert guidance and support in both developing and executing the Testing Strategy, with a significant emphasis on managing the UAT phase. We worked closely with the supplier and other stakeholders to ensure that all test plans, scripts, and scenarios were comprehensive and tailored to CBC’s unique environment. Our responsibilities include overseeing the testing process, facilitating communication between all parties, and ensuring that any issues identified were resolved promptly. By bringing our expertise to the table, we aimed to mitigate risks, resolve challenges efficiently, and drive the project toward successful completion, ensuring that the end result was a reliable, user-validated system that meets the operational needs of Central Bedfordshire Council. Our commitment was to deliver not just a strategy but also the assurance of quality and performance through hands-on leadership and support during the UAT phase.

Key Outcomes

Successful Implementation of Testing Strategy: A comprehensive and well-executed testing strategy that ensured all components of the new system were rigorously tested for functionality, integration, performance, and user acceptance.

Effective Defect Management: Establishment of a robust defect management process to systematically identify, document, and rectify any issues found during the testing phase.

User Validation: Confirmation from council staff and stakeholders that the new system needed to be developed further by the supplier to meet the council’s requirements.

Documentation and Knowledge Transfer: Comprehensive documentation of the testing process, outcomes, and any identified issues or improvements, as well as the transfer of knowledge through scripts and user guides to the council staff for ongoing operation and maintenance of the system.

Effective Risk Management: Identification and mitigation of potential risks and issues throughout the testing phase, ensuring any problems were resolved promptly to avoid impact on the project timeline or performance.

 

As a part of our project, it was determined further work would need to be done with the supplier to meet the council’s requirement for an efficient and effective system.