Phase 3: Test Environment Preparation¶

Overview¶

Test Environment Preparation involves setting up the hardware, software, network, and other infrastructure components required to execute test cases in conditions that simulate the production environment.

Objectives¶

Establish stable and reliable test environment
Replicate production-like conditions
Ensure environment availability for testing
Configure tools and infrastructure
Validate environment readiness

Key Activities¶

1. Environment Requirements Analysis¶

Define hardware requirements (servers, devices, processors)
Identify software requirements (OS, databases, middleware)
Determine network configuration needs
Specify browser and device compatibility requirements
Document third-party integrations and dependencies

2. Infrastructure Setup¶

Hardware Configuration¶

Provision servers (physical or virtual)
Set up workstations for test team
Configure network equipment
Arrange mobile devices for testing
Set up test automation infrastructure

Software Installation¶

Install operating systems
Deploy application under test
Install databases and configure schemas
Set up middleware and services
Install testing tools and utilities

3. Test Data Setup¶

Create test databases
Populate with realistic test data
Configure data masking for sensitive information
Set up test user accounts and permissions
Prepare data sets for various test scenarios

4. Tool Configuration¶

Test Management Tools¶

Configure test case management system
Set up defect tracking system
Integrate with requirement management tools
Configure test automation frameworks
Set up continuous integration/deployment pipelines

Monitoring and Logging¶

Configure application logging
Set up performance monitoring tools
Enable error tracking and alerting
Configure network monitoring
Set up database query monitoring

5. Network and Security Configuration¶

Configure firewalls and security groups
Set up VPN access for remote testing
Configure SSL certificates
Set up proxy servers if needed
Ensure security compliance

6. Environment Validation¶

Smoke Testing¶

Verify application deployment
Test basic functionality
Validate database connectivity
Check integration points
Confirm tool accessibility

Readiness Checklist¶

All hardware is provisioned and operational
Required software is installed and configured
Network connectivity is established
Test data is loaded and verified
Testing tools are configured and accessible
Access permissions are granted to test team
Backup and recovery procedures are in place
Environment documentation is complete

7. Environment Maintenance¶

Schedule regular backups
Plan for environment refresh cycles
Define data cleanup procedures
Establish change management process
Monitor environment health and performance

Types of Test Environments¶

Development Environment¶

Used by developers for unit testing
Frequently updated with latest code
May be unstable during active development

Integration Testing Environment¶

Used for integration and API testing
Contains multiple integrated components
More stable than development environment

System Testing Environment¶

Mirrors production configuration
Used for end-to-end testing
Controlled access and change management

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) Environment¶

Production-like environment
Used by business users for acceptance testing
Strict change control

Performance Testing Environment¶

Sized similar to production
Isolated for performance benchmarking
Includes monitoring and profiling tools

Deliverables¶

Environment Setup Document: Configuration details
Environment Readiness Report: Validation results
Access Guide: User credentials and access procedures
Tool Configuration Guide: Setup instructions for testing tools
Environment Topology Diagram: Visual representation of environment

Best Practices¶

Document all configurations and settings
Automate environment provisioning where possible
Use infrastructure as code (IaC) for consistency
Implement version control for configurations
Maintain separate environments for different test types
Establish clear ownership and responsibilities
Plan for environment scalability
Regular environment audits and updates
Implement environment monitoring and alerting

Common Challenges and Solutions¶

Challenge: Environment Unavailability¶

Solution: Set up multiple environments, implement scheduling, use containerization for quick provisioning, and maintain clear environment usage calendar.

Challenge: Data Management Issues¶

Solution: Automate data refresh, implement data versioning, use data generation tools, and maintain separate data sets for different test types.

Challenge: Configuration Drift¶

Solution: Use configuration management tools, regular audits, infrastructure as code, and automated configuration validation scripts.

Challenge: Resource Constraints¶

Solution: Cloud-based environments, virtualization, resource sharing strategies, and prioritize critical environments over nice-to-have ones.

Challenge: Integration Dependencies¶

Solution: Use service virtualization and mocking, establish clear integration contracts, maintain stub/mock services, and coordinate with dependent teams early.

Metrics to Track¶

Environment setup time (hours from request to ready)
Environment availability percentage (uptime)
Environment provisioning cost
Number of environment-related defects
Configuration drift incidents
Time to resolve environment issues
Resource utilization rate
Number of environments shared vs. dedicated

Methodology-Specific Considerations¶

Agile/Scrum¶

Lightweight environment setup
Emphasis on automation and containerization
Continuous integration environments
Quick environment provisioning
Self-service environment access

Waterfall¶

Comprehensive environment documentation
Formal environment approval process
Dedicated environments for each phase
Change control procedures
Detailed environment specifications

Tools and Technologies¶

Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes, Podman
Virtualization: VMware, VirtualBox, Hyper-V
Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean
Configuration Management: Ansible, Chef, Puppet, SaltStack
CI/CD: Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, CircleCI
Test Data Management: Delphix, GenRocket, Mockaroo, Faker
Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, CloudFormation, Pulumi
Monitoring: Nagios, Datadog, New Relic, Prometheus

The following templates support Test Environment Preparation activities:

Primary Templates¶

Test Plan Template - Test environment section
Refer to the test environment requirements section of your test plan
Documents hardware, software, network, and tool requirements

Supporting Templates¶

Test Execution Report Template - Environment status reporting
Use the environment status section to track environment issues and availability
Report on environment downtime and its impact on testing

Note: Specific environment setup checklists and configuration templates are referenced in the Test Plan template and can be customized based on project needs.

Examples¶

Environment Setup Checklist Example - Comprehensive environment setup checklist covering hardware infrastructure, software installation, application deployment, database configuration, third-party integrations (PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, shipping APIs), test data preparation, security setup, and validation procedures with sign-off.

Previous Phase¶

Test Case Development

Next Phase¶

Proceed to Test Execution once environment is validated and ready.