What is Pilot Testing and How to Perform It

What is Pilot Testing?

Pilot testing is defined as a type of software testing that verifies a part of a software system or the entire system application under a real-time operating condition. This verifies the major functionality of the system before going into production.

This test is performed exactly between UAT and production.

In pilot testing, a selected group of end-users tries to test the system and provide feedback before the full deployment of the system and It helps in early detection of bugs in the system.

The most common method of testing is to continuously test the system to detect its weak areas. These vulnerabilities are then sent back to the development team in the form of bug reports, and these bugs are fixed in the next build of the system.

Why do Pilot Testing?

• This will help test whether your product is ready for full-scale implementation
• This will help in making better decisions on the allocation of time and resources.
• This will give an opportunity to estimate the response of your target population to the program.
• This will help measure the success of your program.
• This will give the chance to the team to highlight and practice the activities they will be using during the usability test

How to do Pilot Testing?

Pilot testing level depends on the size and scope of your migration project. The actual pilot testing is performed in a dedicated field or laboratory where users run multiple processes, transactions, and reports, simulating the functionality of the software.

The following points need to be considered before conducting a pilot test,

1. Provide adequate training to the participants
2. A rollout plan to deploy the server and design the system for the pilot
3. Prepare the document for the installation process
4. Prepare a testing script for each software application. It contains checklists of functions and methods to be executed
5. Provide continuous feedback from users through email or websites to design