Definition
Operational testing is a phase in the software testing process where the developer checks if the software works well in the real-world environments it is designed for, ensuring it’s ready for deployment and use.
Moreover, it ensures stability and compatibility with the real-world environment where it will be deployed.
When conducting operational tests, the developers execute the software in environments as close to the intended condition as possible.
This includes using real hardware, network configurations, related systems, and even real users, enabling developers to detect any issues that might arise post-deployment.
Pros and Cons of Operational Testing
Pros
- Provides a realistic picture of how the software will behave in the real world.
- Enables the developers to detect and solve potential issues before they affect the end user.
- Involving real users offers critical perspectives into the software use cases and features developers didn’t consider.
- Helps to ensure the software is compatible with other apps.
Cons
- It requires developers to have a configuration as close as possible to the production environment, which might be expensive.
- This is a lengthy procedure that might delay the software’s release.
- Some aspects of operational testing might overlap with other testing phases, extending the testing time even further.