1) The document discusses an approach for managing test data to support regression testing of data intensive applications. It involves maintaining a managed test data environment separate from the integrated test environment. 2) Progression testing is done first in the integrated environment to validate changes before adding test cases to the regression suite. Then automated regression testing is done using the managed test data environment, with test scripts independent of application logic. 3) Periodic refreshes of test data from production help keep the managed environment in sync with evolving business and technical changes. This approach optimizes regression execution time while focusing QA efforts on domain knowledge rather than data handling.

1. Test Data Management :
Approach for Functional Testing
Charu Jain

2. The Quality Mind set: From Destination to Journey
Continuous
Integration
Nightly Build
Pair
Programming
Regression
Smoke/Soak
Performance /
Endurance
Our Focus : Regression Testing in Data Intensive Applications

3. Introduction: The Speed Dilemma
Test
More?
Test
Quickly?

4. Data Intensive: Testing Complexities
• Testing against data variations
• The software evolution due to business and
technical changes
• Evolution of data providers
Key Testing Considerations
• Business logic verification
• Data conditions coverage

5. Business Logic Testing: Traditional Approach
• Business logic in test case; Tight coupling with Application code
• Complex design of test cases
• Additional constructs in Test Script for Data Handling
• Implications
↓ As business logic evolves, both code and script need to evolve
↓ QA testing for Test Script required
↓ Test Execution time could increase due to overhead of Data Handling

6. Data Sources vs Testing
Mock Data Integrated Test
Environment
• Quick to setup
• Easy to maintain
• Unit testing
• Limited data
set/low volume
data
• Good coverage
• Progressive testing
• Operations overhead
• Refresh Management
• Complexities in
verifying business logic
with moving data.
Managed
Test Data
• Good coverage
• Scripts are
independent of
functional logic.
• Initial setup-
Production dump

7. Data Testing : An Example
• The Scenario
▫ Auto Renewal of Fixed Deposit Process
▫ Processing : For all FD getting mature on a specified date
▫ Business Cases:
 Opted / Not Opted
 Period of Renewals same as original
 Interest Rates to be latest
Auto Renew
FD
FD Master
Info
Interest
Rates
FD
Renewals

8. Managed Test Data : The Approach
The
Change
Certification
Add to
Regression
Suite
Periodic
refresh from
Production
Progression
Testing
Automated
Regression
Testing*
Automated
Scripting*
Addition to
Automation
Suite
1
2
3
*Managed Data
Environemt

9. Progression Testing: Step1
Integrated Test Data
Environment
FD Renewal-
(Interest
Rate)
FD Master
Information
Interest Rate
Progression
Validation
FD Renewal –
Certified State
(Interest Rate)
The
Change
Certification
Add to
Regression
Suite
Progression
Testing
Automated
Regression
Testing
Automated
Scripting
1
2
3

10. An Illustration:
Test Script steps in Managed Data
▫ If Duration is 80D and SrCtz is N
 Interest Rate is 6
▫ If Duration is 5yr and SrCtz is N
 Interest Rate is 7.5
▫ If Duration is 5yr and SrCtz is Y
 Interest Rate is 8
▫ Compare interest with application
output of Interest
RefNo Name M Amt Duration Sr Ctz?
10101 Suman 10,000 80D N
10201 Raman 20,000 1yr Y
10301 Rakesh 50,000 5yr N
10401 Tapish 75,000 5yr Y
RefNo Duration Rate (%)
R01 0-179 6
R02 6m-1yr 7
R03 <1yr, >3yr 8
R04 >3yr 7.5
FD Master Interest Rate
• Test Script steps in Integrated
environment.
▫ Read from ‘FD Master’
 Duration
 Sr Ctz flag
▫ Logical operation-
 Compare duration
 Apply the flag
▫ Calculate interest.
▫ Compare interest with application
output of Interest

11. Progression Automated: Step 2
Managed Test Data
Environment
FD Renewal
(Interest
Calculation)
FD Master
Information
Interest Rate
Automated
validation
output against the
expected results.
FD Renewal
Certified

12. Additional Progression/Regression
Parallel Execution - Step 1 and 3
FD Renewal
(Interest
Calculation) +
(Maturity
Date)
FD Master
Information
Start
date/duration
Interest Rate
Progression
Certification
(Maturity Date) Automated
Regression
Managed Data
Environment
FD Renewal
Certified
(Interest
Calculation) +
(Maturity Date)

13. Benefits:
• Parallel execution of progression and regression
• Test Scripts agnostic to logic in functionality
• Optimization of execution time for automated regression.
• Focus on domain knowledge, scripting skills not mandatory.
• Very suitable for Agile delivery process
• Suitable for applications where Data volume is high
• Suitable when physical data copy is maintained.

14. Note of Caution:
• Dedicated environment– Cost & Ongoing maintenance.
• Periodic refreshes may lead to revalidation of test cases.
• Data masking might be required for sensitive data.
• Challenge if there is an automation backlog.

15. Thank You