Learn and understand what is Pilot Testing and explore its objective, steps to perform, comparison, etc. through this tutorial:
Pilot testing is a type of Software testing which is performed by a group of end-users prior to the deployment of the software in production.
The component of the system or the complete system is tested in the real-time scenario in this testing type. The system is installed at the customer end to perform this type of testing. The customer does continuous and regular testing to find the bugs. The component of the system or the complete system is tested and verified in the real-time scenario.
The best practice followed is to test the component continuously so that areas that are more prone to bugs are identified and reported back to developers for the fixes to be done in the next released build.
A group of end-users who verifies the system, and provide the bug list to the developers to be fixed in the next release. It lets the users find the bugs before it goes into production. This testing type is a replica of a real environment or verification before the system actually goes live.
What You Will Learn:
What Is Pilot Testing
Pilot Testing comes in between the User Acceptance test and Production deployment. The purpose of performing this testing is to define the project’s cost, risks, feasibility, time, and efficiency.
Objectives Of Pilot Testing
Objectives include:
- To define project cost, feasibility, risks, time, etc.
- To conclude for the success or failure of the software.
- To find the inputs of the end-users.
- To provide a chance to developers to fix the bugs.
Why Pilot: Testing Is Important
The pilot test is very important as it helps in:
- To decide on software readiness for production deployment.
- Debugging of the software.
- Testing processes to be followed.
- Taking decisions on the allocation of time and resources.
- Checking the response of the end-users
- Getting the information for the overall progress of the project.
Example: Microsoft, Google, and HP are a few to name and provide examples of this testing.
- Microsoft: For Windows 10 Pilot testing, the Windows insider program is run by Microsoft.
- HP: Pilot tests of HP products and services are being run online. Refer to this for an insight into how the Pilot test is a part of the process.
- Google: To test the Android Operating System for Nexus users, Google runs the Android Beta Program.
Another example to understand using Pilot Testing:
Consider an organization having several departments, and there is a common application that is being used by all of them. The new application to be launched is deployed in any one of the departments first and once it is evaluated, based on that the next step is taken i.e. if it’s a success, it can be deployed to other departments as well, or else it will be rolled back.
Also, read => Baseline Testing And Its Benefits
Steps To Perform Pilot Testing
Software development companies follow the approach of storing site files on live servers or directories on the Internet to perform testing.
The Pilot Test process includes 5 steps:
- Planning for Pilot test processes
- Preparation for the pilot test
- Deployment and Testing
- Evaluation
- Production Deployment
Let’s understand the above-listed steps:
#1) Planning: The initial step in this particular testing is to plan for the test processes to be followed. The plan is created and approved for the same as the plan will be followed further and all the activities will be derived from this plan only.
#2) Preparation: Once the plan is finalized, the next step is the preparation for this type of testing i.e., software to be installed in the customer area, selection of the team for performing the tests, data required for testing to be collated. Before the testing starts, all the testing environment has to be in place.
#3) Deployment: After the preparation is done, deployment of the software is done at the customer premises. Testing is performed by the selected group of end-users who actually test like the targeted audience for the product.
#4) Evaluation: Once the deployment is completed, testing is performed and evaluation is done by the group of end-users, who conclude the status of the software. They create a report and send the bugs to be fixed across the developers to fix in the next build. Based on their evaluation, whether further deployment in production is to be done or not, is being decided.
#5) Production Deployment: Production deployment is only done if the end user’s evaluation results come out as the developed software is the same as expected, i.e., it meets the customer’s requirement.
Points to be considered in Pilot Testing:
For performing this test, a few points need to be considered and taken care of. These are mentioned below:
#1) Testing Environment: Set up of a proper testing environment plays a vital role as without the same testing cannot be performed. This testing requires a real-time environment that the end-user will actually face. Everything needs to be taken care of, including the hardware/software to be used and installed.
#2) Group of testers: To perform this type of testing, selecting the group of testers as a targeted audience is very important as testers have to represent the targeted users and if not selected correctly can lead to incorrect results. Proper training should be provided to the testers to have fruitful results.
#3) Proper Planning: For any successful project, planning is very important from the very beginning. Resources, timelines, hardware, and software required test scenarios, budget, deployment of servers: everything has to be well planned.
Evaluation criteria for the pilot test should be planned as the number of users who participated, the number of satisfied/dissatisfied users, support requests and calls, etc.
#4) Documentation: All the required documents should be prepared and shared across the teams. The installation process should be documented properly before testing starts. Test scripts should be available for the software to be tested, along with the list of functions to be executed.
A list of issues/bugs should be shared with the developer/designers on a timely basis.
Steps After Evaluation Of Pilot Testing
Once the pilot test is completed, the next step is to finalize the next strategy for the project. The test outputs/results are analyzed and based on that next plan is chosen.
- Stagger Future: In this approach, a new release resource is deployed to the pilot group.
- Rollback: In this approach, the rollback plan is executed i.e., the pilot group is reserved back to its previous configurations.
- Suspension: As the name suggests this testing is suspended in this approach.
- Patch and continue: In this approach, patches are deployed to fix the existing issues and testing is continued.
- Deployment: This approach comes in when the output of the test is as expected, and the software or component tested is good to go in a production environment.
Benefits
It has many advantages as listed below:
- This particular testing is done from the user’s perspective, so it helps in knowing the actual demand for the product.
- It helps to get the errors/bugs before going into production, which leads to a good quality product and less costly errors.
- It helps to make the product/software more attractive to the end-users.
- It helps to roll out the software more effortlessly and fast.
- It helps to predict the success ratio of the product.
- It helps to make the product the best.
Pilot Testing vs Beta Testing
The below table enlists the difference between Pilot Testing and Beta Testing:
| S. No | Pilot testing | Beta testing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot testing is done by the selected group of users who represents the targeted audience. | Beta testing is done by the end-users. |
| 2 | Pilot testing is done in the real environment | Beta testing requires the development environment only. |
| 3 | Pilot testing is done prior to the deployment in production. | Beta testing is done once the software is deployed in production. |
| 4 | Testing is performed between the UAT and production. | Testing is done after the deployment in live i.e. after the product goes into production. |
| 5 | Feedback is provided by the selected users who perform the testing. | Feedback is provided by the client itself as they (end users) perform the testing. |
| 6 | Testing is performed on the component of the system or on the complete system to verify the readiness of the product for deployment. | Testing is performed to minimize the risk of failure of the product. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) What is the purpose of Pilot Testing?
Answer: The purpose of this particular test is to define the research project’s cost, risks, feasibility, time, and efficiency.
Q #2) Is Pilot Testing necessary?
Answer: A pilot Test is one of the important steps and is necessary as it works in many areas like debugging applications, testing processes, and product preparation for deployment. It saves the cost of the expensive bugs as they are found in this testing itself.
Q #3) What do you mean by Pilot Testing?
Answer: This particular testing method is a software testing type that is done between the UAT and the production phase. It is done to verify the readiness of the product to be launched or not. This testing is done on the component of the system or on the entire system. A group of end-users perform this testing and provide feedback to the developers.
Q #4) What are the benefits of Pilot Testing?
Answer: This test has many benefits:
- It helps to get the error/bugs before software goes into the production
- It helps to make a decision on whether a product can be launched or not.
- It helps to improve the quality of the software.
Q #5) Is Pilot-Testing an essential part of all research projects?
Answer: This type of testing is essential for all the projects as it helps to know where the project research stands, and it helps to know the feasibility, cost, resources, and time span required for the project. It is an effort put to save a lot of time and effort in the future.
Conclusion
Pilot-Testing is one of the important testing types as it is performed in the real environment by the end-users, who give their valuable feedback to improve the product. Testing in the real environment gives an insight into the product’s quality, and the bugs can be found and fixed before the system goes live.
Prior to starting the pilot test, there are a few things that need to be taken care of such as documentation, selection of a group of users, planning, and an appropriate test environment.
Depending on the results of the testing next strategy of the product can be decided whether to continue with fixes, suspend the testing, roll back to the previous configuration, or deploy the system in the production environment.