The SAP Testing Process Explained: How to Ensure Products Align With Goals

Companies use SAP software to integrate, manage and digitize business processes. Because SAP handles so many business-critical operations, testing SAP is not optional. Below, we explore the most important criteria for your SAP testing process to cover. Then, we’ll walk you through implementing them.

Essential Elements of the SAP Testing Process

There is no one-size-fits-all SAP testing process. That's because no two companies, and no two SAP setups, are exactly alike. For example, some businesses handle sensitive data. They will need to focus on compliance and security issues related to their industry. Companies with a complex application infrastructure will focus more on integration testing. Before we get into the process, let’s look at some of the kinds of testing you’ll likely need to do.

The list below is not exhaustive, but it outlines some important types of SAP testing:

• Unit testing checks individual units of code within the larger SAP system. This type of testing should happen during development. It can evaluate conversions, interfaces, and authentications.
• Functional testing is essential to the SAP testing process. SAP applications are very complex. So, you need to check each module can perform its intended business function.
• Integration testing ensures all your integrations work properly. Because SAP supports so many other crucial processes, you need seamless integration for a healthy workflow.
• Security testing validates the security of your SAP applications. Although the SAP platform is very secure, you want to make sure integrations and data remain so. This includes validating your security best practices, like access control.
• User acceptance testing (UAT) will likely take place at the end of your SAP testing process. At this point, end-users or business representatives get involved in the testing process. This is the final check to make sure that the software meets business needs.
• Regression testing allows you to verify changes haven’t harmed your system's functionality. In this context, changes may refer to the introduction of new code, bug fixes, or updates.

The SAP Testing Process in 4 Steps

If you’ve dealt with SAP, you know it’s a complicated ecosystem. That’s why you can’t dive into testing SAP without a plan in place, as well begun is half done. Proper prioritization helps you reduce risk without introducing large delays into your development cycle. Keep in mind that each of these steps establishes a solid foundation for the one that comes next. Each one works together to increase test coverage and confidence in releases. It also lays the groundwork for a cycle of continuous improvement.

1.  Preparation

In the first step of the SAP testing process, you need to determine how testing will support your business requirements. You’ll also want to define clear testing objectives. Before setting up your testing solution, your team must:

• Establish testing metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Define testing methods and objectives.
• Identify the flow of business processes.
• Determine which areas are opportunities for SAP test automation.

2.   Setup

Test system setup should be the second phase of your SAP testing process. At this stage, testers will create their actual test cases and secure the testing environment. Once you create the test cases and get the test environment up and running, you’ll also need to set up reporting. Look for a solution that brings business users and testers together. SAP applications deliver critical business insights. Business users need to play a part in creating tests. No-code solutions simplify setup, so you can hit the ground running.

3.  Execution

Once you have your tests and reporting ready to go, it’s time to start executing. In this phase of the SAP testing process, you’ll see the metrics and methods you established in action. But execution doesn’t mean you should be mindlessly running tests. This is the time to gather insight into the success of those methods and the quality of your test metrics. Your testing solution should help you build your knowledge base as you go. You should be able to add notes and record information on defects, execution trends, and other metrics.

4.  Evaluation

Finally, you’ve arrived at the final step in the SAP testing process. Now, QA will examine reports and executions. This is where you decide whether testing efforts have been successful. The evaluation phase also provides time to consider making changes. Do you need to change your reporting dashboard? Update test scenarios and documentation? Create and share interactive training? Testing is dynamic and you need tools that will help you improve with each cycle.

Enhancing Your SAP Testing Process

SAP is a far-reaching platform with many integrations. When functioning at its highest level, it can streamline your business processes, boost efficiency, and increase productivity. Despite the platform’s built-in tools, getting your system to peak performance is no small feat. Here are three tips that can enhance your SAP testing process:

• Align business goals with technical requirements. Think back to the beginning of the SAP testing process, where testers establish KPIs. This is the point where technical and business users must come together. If they don’t understand each other, how can you translate business needs into technical responsibilities? Improving SAP testing is about more than automation and new technologies. You need cultural changes to support your digital transformation.
• Partner with a testing solution that provides support where users need it most: UAT. For the best results, business users should be involved in the UAT process. To make sure they can contribute, UAT needs to be simple and fast. Clear steps, time-saving automation, and support for less technical users make this part of the SAP testing process easier and more effective. Look for no-code tools that make testing accessible to everyone.
• Streamline your training and documentation. A solid SAP testing process requires testers to understand business goals and testing techniques. Be sure to keep your documentation up to date and readily available. The best SAP testing tools will have ways to automatically sync documentation and test cases. Change one and the other changes, too. Then you don’t have to worry about conflicting or outdated information.