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CHAPTER 9

INTEGRATION AND TEST PHASE

9.0       OBJECTIVE

9.1       TASKS AND ACTIVITIES
            9.1.1 Establish the Test Environment
            9.1.2 Conduct Integration Tests
            9.1.3 Conduct Subsystem/System Testing
            9.1.4 Conduct Security Testing
            9.1.5 Conduct Acceptance Testing
            9.1.6 Revise Previous Documentation

9.2       ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

9.3       DELIVERABLES
            9.3.1 Test Analysis Report
            9.3.2 Test Analysis Approval Determination
            9.3.3 Test Problem Report
            9.3.4 IT Systems Security Certification & Accreditation

9.4       ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATIONS

9.5       PHASE REVIEW ACTIVITY

9.0       OBJECTIVE

The objective of this phase is to prove that the developed system satisfies the requirements defined in the FRD. Several types of tests will be conducted in this phase. First, subsystem integration tests shall be executed and evaluated by the development team to prove that the program components integrate properly into the subsystems and that the subsystems integrate properly into an application. Next, the testing team conducts and evaluates system tests to ensure the developed system meets all technical requirements, including performance requirements. Next, the testing team and the Security Program Manager conduct security tests to validate that the access and data security requirements are met. Finally, users participate in acceptance testing to confirm that the developed system meets all user requirements as stated in the FRD. Acceptance testing shall be done in a simulated “real” user environment with the users using simulated or real target platforms and infrastructures.

9.1       TASKS AND ACTIVITIES

The tasks and activities actually performed depend on the nature of the project. Guidelines for selection and inclusion of tasks for the Integration and Test Phase may be found in Chapter 13, Alternate SDLC Work Patterns. The following tasks should be completed during the Integration and Test phase.

9.1.1    Establish the Test Environment

Establish the various test teams and ensure the test system(s) are ready.

9.1.2    Conduct Integration Tests

The test and evaluation team is responsible for creating/loading the test database(s) and executing the integration test(s). This is to ensure that program components integrate properly into the subsystems and the subsystems integrate properly into an application.

9.1.3    Conduct Subsystem/System Testing

The test and evaluation team is responsible for creating/loading the test database(s) and executing the system test(s). All results should be documented on the Test Analysis Report (Appendix C-28), Test Problem Report (Appendix C-30) and on the Test Analysis Approval Determination (Appendix C-29). Any failed components should be migrated back to the development phase for rework, and the passed components should be migrated ahead for security testing.

9.1.4    Conduct Security Testing

The test and evaluation team will again create or load the test database(s) and execute security (penetration) test(s). All tests will be documented, similar to those above. Failed components will be migrated back to the development phase for rework, and passed components will be migrated ahead for acceptance testing.

9.1.5    Conduct Acceptance Testing

The test and evaluation team will create/load the test database(s) and execute the acceptance test(s). All tests will be documented , similar to those above. Failed components will be migrated back to the development phase for rework, and passed components will migrate ahead for implementation.

9.1.6    Revise previous documentation

During this phase, the Systems Technical Lead or the Developers will finalize the Software Development Document from the Development Phase. He/They will also finalize the Operations or Systems Administration Manual, User Manual, Training Plan, Maintenance Manual, Conversion Plan, Implementation Plan, Contingency Plan and Update the Interface Control Document from the Design Phase. The Project Manager should finalize the System Security Plan and the Security Risk Assessment from the Requirements Analysis Phase and the Project Management Plan from the Planning Phase. The Configuration Manager should finalize the Configuration Management Plan from the Planning Phase. The Quality Assurance office/person should finalize the Quality Assurance Plan from the Planning Phase. And finally, the Project Manager should finalize the Cost Benefit Analysis and the Risk Management Plan from the System Concept Development Phase.

9.2       ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

9.3       DELIVERABLES

The following deliverables shall be initiated during the Integration and Test Phase:

9.3.1    Test Analysis Report

This report documents each test - unit/module, subsystem integration, system, user acceptance and security. Appendix C-29 provides a template for the Test Analysis Report.

9.3.2    Test Analysis Approval Determination

Attached to the test analysis report as a final result of the test reviews and testing levels above the integration test; briefly summarizes the perceived readiness for migration of the software. Appendix C-30 provides a template for the Test Analysis Approval Determination.

9.3.3    Test Problem Report

Document problems encountered during testing; the form is attached to the test analysis reports. Appendix C-31provides a template for a Test Problem Report.

9.3.4    IT Systems Security Certification & Accreditation

The documents needed to obtain certification and accreditation of an information system before it becomes operational. They include: System Security Plan; Rules of Behavior; Configuration Management Plan, Risk Assessment; Security Test & Evaluation; Contingency Plan; Privacy Impact Assessments; and the certification and accreditation memorandums. The Systems Security Plan and certification/accreditation package should be approved prior to implementation and every three years thereafter.

9.4       ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION

Security controls shall be tested before system implementation to uncover all design and implementation flaws that would violate security policy. Security Test and Evaluation (ST&E) involves determining a system’s security mechanisms adequacy for completeness and correctness, and the degree of consistency between system documentation and actual implementation. This shall be accomplished through a variety of assurance methods such as analysis of system design documentation, inspection of test documentation, and independent execution of function testing and penetration testing. Results of the ST&E effect security activities developed earlier in the life cycle such as security risk assessment, sensitive system security plan, and contingency plan. Each of these activities will be updated in this phase based on the results of the ST&E. Build on the security testing recorded in the software development documents, unit testing, integration testing, and system testing.

9.5       PHASE REVIEW ACTIVITY

Upon completion of all Integration and Test Phase tasks and receipt of resources for the next phase, the Project Manger, together with the project team should prepare and present a project status review for the decision maker and project stakeholders. The review should address: (1) Integration and Test Phase activities status, (2) planning status for all subsequent life cycle phases (with significant detail on the next phase, to include the status of pending contract actions), (3) resource availability status, and (4) acquisition risk assessments of subsequent life cycle phases given the planned acquisition strategy.

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