Optimization of the testing process in the aviation industry

Optimizing the testing process in the aviation industry: An end-to-end testing strategy for complex systems

The aviation industry faces the challenge of smoothly integrating complex, interconnected systems and ensuring functionality across different product teams. In such a dynamic environment, where multiple systems such as UDH, Cheetah, Tiger, Amadeus and others need to work seamlessly together, a robust testing approach is essential. This includes not only test management and troubleshooting, but also test environment management and test automation. The challenge is to establish a structured process that minimizes the leakage of defects into production while ensuring reliable, coordinated releases.

1. define a comprehensive test strategy

To make the test process successful, a customized test strategy is required. This must ensure that all interdependent systems and product teams are considered in the end-to-end testing process. The aim is to identify and minimize all potential risks and dependencies between the various systems. The test strategy must be flexible and scalable enough to enable continuous quality improvement over the entire test lifecycle.

2. establishment of a central test team

A centralized test team is the key to effective test coordination. This team consists of several important roles, including test manager, defect manager and test environment manager. A dedicated end-to-end test team should be responsible for the execution of the entire test phase and ensure continuous communication and coordination between the different systems and teams. This structure helps to ensure that the testing process runs smoothly and efficiently without information being lost or misunderstandings arising.

3. team training and knowledge management

A well-trained test team is crucial to mastering the complex requirements of the end-to-end test process. Training and continuous education are necessary to ensure that the team is familiar with the required tools and processes. This includes the use of test management tools such as JIRA/XRAY for manual testing as well as the automation of tests with tools such as Selenium and Playwright. In addition, team members must be trained to deal with the system dependencies that can occur throughout the ecosystem.

4 Defect leakage tracking to mitigate risk

Another key element is defect leakage tracking. A specific process is being developed to monitor and minimize defects leaking into production. By consistently following the established test management process, defect leakage can be significantly reduced. This ensures that the end product is of high quality and that system stability is not impaired by unwanted errors. The goal is to have no highly critical defects (Sev1 or Sev2) in production and thus ensure reliable releases.

5 Challenges and solutions

The testing process in such a complex environment brings with it various challenges. The project structure involves multiple product teams and third-party systems that require careful coordination. The proof of concept (POC) and the transition of the automation framework from Selenium to Playwright posed another challenge, but this was overcome through thorough planning and close collaboration between the teams. Time constraints for testing in dedicated staging or pre-production environments required efficient test planning and execution.

In addition, the active involvement of business stakeholders is crucial to ensure that tests are in line with business requirements and user expectations. A continuous maintenance process of the test automation scripts is also essential to ensure a robust regression suite and maintain test efficiency and coverage.

6 Successful results

Thanks to the consistent application of the developed test strategy and structured approach, the dedicated end-to-end test team was able to identify and resolve a significant number of defects in the test environments. This helped to minimize defect leakage and improve system stability. There have been no Sev1 or Sev2 defects in production in recent months, demonstrating the effectiveness of the testing strategy in mitigating risk. These results have led to reliable, coordinated releases and improved system stability for the customer.

Conclusion

Successfully implementing an end-to-end test strategy in the aviation industry requires comprehensive planning, clear processes and close collaboration between teams. By integrating all interdependent systems and product teams into the test process, risks from system dependencies can be minimized and the leakage into production can be significantly reduced. By continuously adapting and optimizing the test process, the customer can benefit from reliable, stable releases that meet the highest quality standards.