Testing IT | 41
techniques provide the opportunity Service testing is a new phase
to assess the quality of code, data of testing in addition to the unit,
and the existing architecture. There component, system, integration and
is a range of tools that can assist in acceptance phases that are normally
this process, however, there is no considered as part of the quality
substitute for ensuring that the correct management strategy. As a result,
expertise is focused on the static service testing will often be run in
analysis. Just because the code has parallel with the existing test phases
always taken a lot of maintenance, it but not as a phase with a fixed position
doesn’t mean that you have to accept in the overall quality management
this for a new or merged IT estate. strategy.
Define – In this phase the In short the bad news is that there
measurements are used to establish is more testing to do for the initial
the requirements for the merged implementation of SOA. However, the FIGURE 1
system. It is vital at this stage that deployment of well tested services
the opportunity to incorporate new that meet the aim of being portable,
technologies and developments in best means that they can be re-used more
practice are considered. readily providing greater business
From the static analysis carried out agility. In addition, because services
in the measure phase it is possible to can be provided by a wide range of
define requirements for improvements technologies it is possible to be more
in areas such as code maintainability flexible in the development approach
and data integrity. If change is without dictating the languages,
being managed within the business operating systems and technology
then there it represents an ideal stacks that will be used for all other
opportunity to improve the overall IT businesses. This flexible development
capabilities of the business. approach allows for businesses to
Prove – This is where all of the ensure processes are retained or
FIGURE 2
requirements are tested ideally in modified as required during the
descending risk order. As previously development process.
discussed compliance, migration Increased agility, flexibility and
& integration testing and then confident re-use are the real benefits
performance testing is a sensible of SOA implementation.
approach.
The urge to merge
Testing in a service Merging IT estates allows the
oriented architecture requirements for the final merged
The diagram in figure 4 highlights system to be developed based on
some of the main features of SOA. an assessment of existing systems.
There are a number of interrelated Compliance, functional integration
features of SOA, all of which must and migration testing are important
be understood by the quality but once the functional requirements
FIGURE 3
management team. Testing of SOA have been signed off it is necessary
must consider the individual services to improve potential profitability
and the overall orchestration of by using performance testing to
those services into a business related identify and prosecute bottlenecks
IT system. in the system.
There are two separate lifecycles to During high levels of change, when
be considered. There is the lifecycle of governance is being strictly applied,
the overall system to be developed, it is sensible to take the opportunity
which should follow a top down provided to deploy new technologies
integration approach using mock and incorporate best practice
services where development of new wherever appropriate. SOA represents
services has not been completed. a strategic technology investment and
Then there is the lifecycle of an it is important to note that in terms of
FIGURE 4
individual service. A service should quality management the full benefits
not be integrated into the overall realisation will not be apparent until
solution until it has completed an the business can utilise the increased
extensive service test phase. This is agility to respond to market conditions
essentially a competing bottom up quicker than their competitors.
development and testing lifecycle for Using SOA can increase business
each service. Typically the bottom up confidence because it facilitates best
testing lifecycle is the starting point practice and allows for early service
in the actual test execution. As this and integration testing that will aid
lifecycle is worked through, mock early quantification of risk exposure
Dave Rigler
Business unit director
services facilitate the top down service for the business due to new and
SQS Group
www.sqs-uk.com
orchestration test lifecycle. restructured elements of the IT estate.
T.E.S.T | June 09 June 09 | T.E.S.T
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