Acceptance Testing System for Early Software Component Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In agile software development, synchronization issues between multiple code providers lead to delayed delivery of production-ready code, as each provider follows their own timetable, resulting in incomplete software testing and delayed customer delivery.
Innovation Solution
An acceptance testing system that utilizes minimal testing features to determine if a software development component is complete, allowing for testing and potential delivery of the first component before the second component is finished, using minimal testing features defined to avoid interdependence and ensure business value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple code providers follow their own timetables independently, then each provider can deliver code according to their own schedule, but the overall project delivery is delayed until all providers complete their code
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling acceptance testing to begin before all code components are complete. The acceptance testing system receives minimal testing features and performs testing on available components in advance, so that testing does not have to wait for all providers to finish their code. This resolves the contradiction by decoupling the testing start time from the completion time of all code providers.
2Reliability
If all code components must be complete before testing begins, then testing can be performed on the complete system, but testing is delayed until the last provider finishes their code
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the testing process into phases. Acceptance testing can be performed on individual components or subsets of the system before all code is complete, using minimal testing features. This allows testing to proceed in segments rather than requiring the entire system to be ready, thus reducing delays while maintaining testing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing acceptance testing on partial completions of the system. Instead of waiting for 100% completion of all code components, the system performs testing on the portions that are ready, using minimal testing features that are sufficient to begin validation early in the development process.
3Ease of manufacture
If code drops are defined by individual providers based on their own criteria, then each provider can simplify their delivery process, but the delivered code drops lack synchronized business value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the acceptance testing system with minimal testing features - that mediates between individual provider deliveries and overall business value. This intermediary enables coordination and synchronization of code drops from multiple providers, ensuring they deliver integrated business value while maintaining the simplicity of individual provider processes.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for software development testing utilizing one or more minimal testing features. An acceptance testing system receives one or more first minimal testing features for a first software development component to be developed by a first provider, and one or more second first minimal testing features for a second software development component to be developed by a second provider. Before completion of the second software development component, it is determined whether the first software development component is complete. If it is determined that the first software development component is complete, testing is performed on the first software development component utilizing the one or more first minimal testing features, before the completion of the second software development component.