Testing Siebel eBusiness Applications > Plan Testing Strategy > Test Plans >

Component Inventory


The Component Inventory is a comprehensive list of the applications, modules, and components in the current project. Typically, the component inventory is done at the project level and is not a testing-specific activity. There are two ways projects typically identify components. The first is to base component definition on the work that needs to be done (for example, specific configuration activities). The second method is to base the components on the functionality to be supported. In many cases these two approaches produce similar results. A combination of the two methods is most effective in making sure that the test plan is complete and straightforward to execute. The worksheet shown in Figure 8 is an example of a component inventory.

Figure 8.  Sample Component Inventory Document

Click for full size image

Risk Assessment

A risk assessment is used to identify those components that carry higher risk and may require enhanced levels of testing. The following characteristics increase component risk:

As shown in Figure 8, one column of the component inventory provides a risk score to each component based on the guidelines above. In this example one risk point is given to a component for each of the criteria met. The scoring system should be defined to correctly represent the relative risk between components. Performing a risk assessment is important for completing a test plan, since the risk assessment provides guidance on the sequence and amount of testing required.

Best Practice

Risk Assessment. Performing a Risk Assessment during the planning process allows you to design your test plan in a way that minimizes overall project risk.


 Testing Siebel eBusiness Applications 
 Published: 21 July 2003