Dynamics 365 testing is inevitable. Numerous customizations, frequent updates to core and standard Microsoft Dynamics 365 applications and possible integrations – they all need verification. And making sure that all business-critical processes are secure is quite a handful. You simply cannot cope without automated testing.
Think of Dynamics 365 testing as a crucial chunk of well-defined quality assurance strategy. And try to implement test automation where possible. Microsoft Dynamics test automation benefits not only your core and minor business processes but first and foremost your software maintenance, development – and this all impacts your business continuity.
See how you can benefit from codeless, automated testing for Dynamics 365:
If you consider time as a business asset (which it surely is) – there are no cons of your Dynamics 365 testing. However, the pros are limitless. Your system, similarly to your business, is a living and growing organism. Adding new features, changing the code, customizing the functionalities – this all calls for thorough testing.
If you want to adapt your business to the changing industry market, standard Dynamics 365 application functionality might not be enough. Any introduced changes need to be tested if you want to mitigate any risks such as bugs, system flaws or failures. Dynamics 365 end-to-end process testing is your safety net if you want to perform your business operations risk-free.
WHEN TO TEST AUTOMATION?
It makes no sense to delay automation. 78% of organizations use test automation for either regression or performance testing. Automating tests in certain areas definitely help when planning Microsoft Dynamics 365 rollouts to different locations. Besides, with the Microsoft One Version approach every update, modification or adding of new features require testing. And UATs are demanding as they require thorough management and quality control.
The sooner you start test automation, the better. Microsoft Dynamics 365 test automation should start the moment the business processes are deployed. During the initial implementation phase, those are not yet stable or set in stone. However, you should be running regression tests whenever you see this brings value and could mitigate any business continuity risks.
When you plan on upgrading from Dynamics AX2012 to D365, automated testing is no less important. Investigating which modules and functionalities are required for the upgrade process gives you a chance to define the scope of automation that is process-based. This way, it is easier to replicate the test plans and re-use testing scripts later on, in the upgraded Dynamics 365 system.
Having a comprehensive test automation framework that can be used already during go-live and later on during rollouts, maintenance and application development brings high business value. Not to mention complete and easily available testing documentation that can be automatically created on the basis of each of your test scripts. That is why you should invest in a state-of-the art automation tool to test Microsoft Dynamics 365 that can be used for all the testing and let’s you create savings and ROI not only in the long run.
HOW TO TEST MUCH AND NOT SPEND MUCH TIME ON DYNAMICS 365 TESTING
Should Dynamics 365 testing be done manually or should it be automated? When it comes to Microsoft Dynamics 365 testing, there’s definitely a ton of it. And if you are keen on manual testing, you will need significant resources, not to mention the inevitable (and high) risk of human error when checking Dynamics 365 setup.
Automated testing for Dynamics 365 not only reduces human error but greatly speeds up the whole process. One has to remember that automated tests – similarly to manual ones – are also very time-consuming Testing scripts need to be continuously amended and updated with every update rollout. And that is why you should be using an automated testing tool that will take the burden of regression testing off your shoulders, not make it just slightly less complicated.
Your automated testing framework should therefore increase test efficiency, at the same time reducing time spent on test case creation and execution.
And although it might be the most convenient option to automate everything, when you test Microsoft Dynamics, you should combine both manual and automated testing. Specific tasks are natural candidates for automation while manual exploratory testing should also be applied by testers whenever they see it fit.
MICROSOFT DYNAMICS TEST AUTOMATION – THE TOOL MATTERS
- Make sure your test automation suite for Dynamics 365 is scalable and flexible which will give you 100% test effectiveness. Test scripts allowing reusability are a must.
- Take an all-round and multi-layer approach. Focus not only on visual display but consider system testing, regression, function and localization equally important.
- Double check if the testing framework you are about to use supports automated testing with multiple environments.
- Make room for more focused testing for newly added functionalities features and entities of Dynamics 365.
- Come up with a solid testing plan and strategy to keep main product risks at bay.
- Look out for testing tools that allow you to design and run functional and non-functionals tests as a real time business user. This will make your system more bulletproof if you can, e.g. run regression tests whenever the need be.
MICROSOFT DYNAMICS TEST AUTOMATION – MAKE IT WORTHWHILE
Make sure that your Microsoft Dynamics 365 test automation project counts. Calculate the ROI of your testing project to prove to decision makers it brings tangible time and cost savings. Only 24% of companies notice an instant increase in ROI once they started automated testing. Why? Achieving ROI in a short time during Dynamics 365 testing requires not only taking the right steps but also using the right automation tools.
In order to make it affordable in terms of ROI, make sure you have the tool to start testing quickly enough and one that supports all your testing needs. Test automation framework for Dynamics 365 such as Executive Automats should bring down:
- Entry costs: by being easy to create, prep and modify testing scripts if needed
- Project (scaling-up) costs: by allowing integration tests with external platforms and data
- Reporting costs: thanks to easy-to-use-and-create test documentation
- Operational costs: through no-code features for validations
- Management costs: thanks to Azure DevOps integration
HOW TO MAKE MICROSOFT DYNAMICS 365 TESTING WORK?
With our codeless tool – Executive Automats we suggest the below approach to Microsoft Dynamics test automation:
- Use one solution: it should be able to support easy start-up and be flexible enough to support your future and more complex testing needs. Not to mention it should allows reusability of test scripts and test cases.
- Start with your most pressing testing needs: consider the critical processes and integrations. It is both easier to start (fewer resources invested) and bring long-term value (“low hanging fruit”)
- Gradually extend the testing scope: increase test automation coverage, to speed up the application lifecycle of your Microsoft Dynamics 365 and mitigate the risks of operations