Upgrade Testing Checklist

The article provides a checklist for upgrade testing, which can be used by customers to prepare for testing after future upgrades. The checklist includes tasks such as selecting testers, scheduling upgrade testing, creating test cases, prioritizing test cases, selecting a test management tool, logging bugs, and performing a smoke test on the production system.

There is a checklist for upgrade testing in word format, that customers can use at the end of the project so they can be prepared for testing after future upgrades. Below is a sample of how this looks like.

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	Task	Finished	Description
1	Selection of Testers and Scheduling Upgrade Testing		Process of identifying and appointing individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct the upgrade testing. These testers may include quality assurance professionals, software developers, or other relevant personnel.
2	Scheduling Upgrade Testing		Act of planning and organizing events or activities to occur at specific times. In the context of upgrade testing, scheduling involves determining the most suitable timing for conducting the testing, taking into account factors such as resource availability, project deadlines, and potential impact on the production environment.
3	Upgrade System Accessibility		Modifications or improvements are being made to the system to ensure that it meets accessibility standards and provides an inclusive user experience for individuals with disabilities. This may involve adjusting the user interface, navigation, or functionality of the system to accommodate various accessibility needs, such as screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, color contrast, and alternative text for images.
4	Create Upgrade Test Cases		Identifying the key functionalities and components of the system that are affected by the upgrade, and then formulating test scenarios to verify that these components function as intended after the upgrade.
5	Prioritization of Test Cases		Involves assessing their criticality in identifying potential issues and defects in the system. Test cases are categorized and ranked according to the level of risk associated with the functionality they cover, the likelihood of uncovering critical issues, and the importance of the functionality to the overall system.
6	Selection of Upgrade Test Leader		Test leader's role includes defining the testing strategy, coordinating with other team members, communicating with project stakeholders, and ensuring that the testing activities align with the project goals and timeline. The test leader may also be responsible for managing test resources, resolving issues, and reporting on the progress and results of the testing efforts.
7	Selection of Test Management Tool		Purpose of selecting a test management tool is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the testing process by providing a centralized platform for managing test artifacts and activities. Test management tools help testing teams to organize and execute tests, track defects, and generate meaningful reports, ultimately contributing to the overall quality of the software being tested.
8	Logging Bugs and retesting fixes		Purpose of logging bugs and retesting fixes is to maintain a record of all identified issues, facilitate communication between testing and development teams, and ensure that resolved bugs have been thoroughly validated before the system is released. This process contributes to the overall quality and reliability of the software being tested.
9	Code Promotion from QA to Prod		Ensure that only thoroughly tested and validated code is deployed to the production environment, minimizing the risk of introducing bugs or issues that could impact end-users. This process helps to maintain the stability and reliability of the production environment while delivering new features or updates to end-users.
10	Upgrade Smoke Test on Prod		Purpose is to quickly verify that the upgraded software is functioning at a basic level without conducting an extensive set of tests. This test is meant to catch any major issues or failures that may have been introduced as a result of the upgrade.