Sap Testing Quick Guide
Sap Testing Quick Guide
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SAP R/3 also allows customers to interact with different databases to run different applications with the help of a user-
friendly GUI. The SAP R/3 system is divided into different modules to cover the functionality of different business
operations in an organization.
SAP Testing is about testing the functionality of these modules and to ensure that they perform as per the configuration.
A SAP system undergoes various changes like patch management and fixes, new module implementations, and various
other configuration changes. All these modifications raise a need for Regression testing that is to be performed in SAP
environments. SAP testing automation tools like SAP Test Acceleration and Optimization tools can be used for this
purpose.
SAP TAO is an automation tool to generate test cases for end-to-end scenarios for SAP applications. Apart from this,
there are various other Automation testing tools for SAP testing like HP QTP, and ECATT, etc. that can be used.
Importance of Testing
Here is a list of key reasons why SAP testing is performed and why it is an important function in the growth of an
organization −
System Validation − SAP Testing involves complete end-to-end testing and validation of all SAP modules in
SAP ERP environment.
Quality and Revenue − SAP Testing is an output-based testing and not like conventional testing methods which
are input-based. It ensures the quality of SAP system and also focuses on revenue and cost of the organization.
Cost and Predictability − SAP Testing involves reducing the SAP development costs and improve
predictability.
Compliance Requirement − SAP Testing ensures that the SAP implementation is meeting the new compliance
requirements in a specific organization and all the modules are working as per the expected configuration.
New Implementation and Configuration Changes − There are different types of changes implemented in a
SAP system, like patches and fixes, new implementation, configurational changes. Therefore, SAP testing ensures
that all the modules are performing as per requirement in this dynamic system environment.
Integration − SAP testing is performed to test various reports, data flows and work flows, GUI forms, etc. It is
used to check system integration between different modules. For example, if an order posting is done that requires
an action in Sales and Distribution, MM and FICO, then SAP testing checks the integration between these
systems.
Performance − It is also used to ensure if the system will be able to meet the Service Level agreements, time
taken by system to perform specific actions, performance of the system, etc.
Unit Testing − It is a type of white-box testing that involves testing a single unit or group of units.
Integration Testing − In this testing, multiple systems are combined together to test the output of the integrated
system.
Functional Testing − It checks the functionality of each module as per the desired result.
Usability Testing − It checks the ease of use of an application or a system. It checks how easy it would be for a
new user to use an application or to understand the system.
Acceptance Testing − Acceptance testing is performed to test if a system meets the user requirement and whether
to accept the application or system.
System Testing − Entire system is tested as per the requirement and specification.
Stress Testing − In this testing, the system is put into stress beyond its specification to check when it fails.
Performance Testing − This testing is performed to check if the system meets the performance requirement.
Regression Testing − It includes testing the full application or system for the modifications.
Beta Testing − The aim of beta testing is to cover unexpected errors. It falls under the class of black-box testing.
It is performed by releasing the pre-version of the final product, called Beta.
Database Testing − Database testing is used to test the data in the database. It is performed using SQL
statements.
ETL Testing − ETL testing is performed to ensure if data is correctly extracted, transformed, and loaded from a
source system to a target system.
There are different stages of a manual testing. They are − unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and user
acceptance testing.
Various test plans, test cases, or test scenarios are used by a manual tester to ensure the completeness of testing. Manual
testing can also be called exploratory testing because the testers explore the software to identify errors in it manually.
Automation Testing
In Automation testing, the tester writes the scripts and uses software tools to test the product. This process involves the
automation of a manual process. Automation testing includes re-running the test-cases multiple times that were
performed manually.
Automation testing is also used to test the application from load, performance, and stress purpose. It is used to increase
the coverage of test. Automation testing improves the accuracy and saves time and money in comparison to manual
testing.
Feasibility Study
The first stage of SDLC is requirement gathering. After the requirements are gathered, the team comes up with a
rough plan of software process. At this step, the team analyzes if a software can be made to fulfill all the requirements of
the user. It is found out if the project is financially, practically, and technologically feasible for the organization to take
up. There are many algorithms available, which help the developers to conclude the feasibility of a software project.
System Analysis
At this step, the developers decide a roadmap of their plan and try to bring up the best software model suitable for the
project. System analysis includes understanding of software product limitations, learning system-related problems or
changes to be done in the existing systems, identifying and addressing the impact of the project on the organization and
personnel etc. The project team analyzes the scope of the project and plans the schedule and resources accordingly.
Software Design
The next step is to bring the whole knowledge of requirements and analysis on to the desk and design the software
product. The inputs from the users and the information gathered in the requirement gathering phase are the inputs of this
step. The output of this step comes in the form of two designs; logical design and physical design. Engineers produce
meta-data and data dictionaries, logical diagrams, data-flow diagrams and in some cases pseudocodes.
Coding
This step is also known as programming phase. The implementation of software design starts in terms of writing the
program code in a suitable programming language and developing error-free executable programs efficiently.
Testing
An estimate says that 50% of the whole software development process should be tested. Errors may ruin the software
from critical level to its own removal. Software testing is done while coding by the developers and thorough testing is
conducted by testing experts at various levels of code such as module testing, program testing, product testing, in-house
testing and testing the product at user’s end. Early discovery of errors and their remedy is the key to developing a
reliable software.
Integration
Software may need to be integrated with the libraries, databases, and other program(s). This stage of SDLC deals with
the integration of the software with outer world entities.
Implementation
Implementation or deployment means installing the software on user machines. At times, the software needs post-
installation configurations at the user’s end. Software is tested for portability and adaptability and integration related
issues are solved during implementation.
STLC is used to improve the quality of a software product and to make it capable to meet the business requirements to
achieve certain goals.
The different stages that come under Software Testing Life Cycle are as follows −
Requirements phase
Test Planning
Test Analysis
Test Design Phase
Test Implementation
Test Execution Phase
Test Closure Phase
Requirement Phase
This is the first phase of Software Testing Life Cycle. During this phase, the tester’s job is to analyze the requirements.
There are various methods for Requirement Analysis like conducting brainstorming sessions with business people, team
members, and try to find out whether the requirements are testable or not.
This phase determines the scope of the testing. If a testing team finds any features that can’t be tested, then that should
be communicated to the client.
Test Planning
In this phase, the tester identifies the activities and resources which would help to meet the testing objectives.
Various metrics are defined and there are methods available to determine and track those metrics. Test planning also
includes identifying key performance indicators for testing evaluation.
Test Analysis
This phase determines the guidelines that has to be tested. It includes identifying the test conditions using the
requirements document, any risks involved, and other test criteria.
Product Complexity
Depth of Testing
Risk Involved
Skills Required
Knowledge of testing team members
Test management
Availability of the stakeholders
Let us take an example. For a website selling products online, a test condition is that a customer should be able to make
an online payment. You can add detailed conditions like, payment should be feasible using Credit card, NEFT transfer,
debit card or net banking.
The advantage of writing the detailed test condition is that it increases the scope of testing because test-cases are
normally written on the basis of the test condition. It allows to write more detailed test cases. It also helps in determining
the condition of when to stop the testing of a software product.
Break down the test conditions into multiple sub-conditions to increase its coverage.
Get the test data.
Set up the test environment.
Get the requirement traceability metrics.
Create the test coverage metrics.
Test Closure
This phase includes checking for the completion of the test.
Unit Testing
Unit testing is used to test the functionality of a SAP system and its various components. It is performed by domain and
configuration experts who know the functionality of each unit in a system.
Example
Suppose the task is to create a sales order and save it. To perform unit testing for this task, the tester should know that
the sales order can be saved using the SAP organization elements like customer master data, partner functions, material
master data, company code, credit control area, sales organization, etc.
Example
In ABAP development, Unit testing can be performed to check if a report can be created from developer-generated data.
It requires assistance from the domain expert.
System Testing
System Testing involves the integration of elements of a SAP system to ensure that related SAP functionality are linked
together in the development environment.
Example
If you say a cash flow for a quotation in an organization would show that a quote can be used to create a sales order, a
delivery can be created and processed from the order, the delivery can be billed, the billing released to accounting, and a
customer payment applied against the accounting invoice.
Each unit is tested like this and then the test results are combined using system testing.
Scenario-based Testing
Scenario testing, as the name suggests, is performed as per specific business cases.
Example
Suppose there are a few tasks that are specific to a customer segment or a given product line or a set of services. For
these specific line of target, you have different scenarios that you need to test. This testing is also performed in the
development environment.
Integration Testing
In this testing, testing data comes from a real data extraction source. Data is known to business end-users.
Integration testing is used to present that the business process, as designed and configured in SAP, runs using real-world
data. In addition the testing shows that the interface triggers, reports, workflows are working.
Ideally, interface testing involves larger testing activities as a project progresses. Interface testing shows that triggering
works, the data selection is accurate and complete, data transfer is successful, and the receiver is able to consume the sent
data.
Whether the system response time is acceptable as per the business requirement
Whether periodic processes are running within permissible time,
Whether the expected concurrent user load can be supported
Performance testing identifies bottlenecks and coding inefficiencies in the SAP system. It is not likely that system
performance tuning is perfectly set up and the program is running with optimized code.
As with the implementation of Security standards, this is really important to test if security and authorization is placed in
a system. Test IDs for job roles are created and used to both confirm what a user can do and what a user cannot do.
When you upgrade your SAP system or apply a patch, it shouldn’t affect the functionality that is expected to be
performed by the users. In addition, it should not affect the new features that are supposed to be introduced in a new
release.
Test Planning
Test System setup
Test Execution and evaluation
Test Planning
Test planning includes the steps that are involved in the initial phase of testing.
Gathering the requirement. What needs to be tested? Functional requirements to be collected for system and
application testing.
Test-case development for manual and automation testing. In automation testing, various tools can be used for
creating test-cases.
The first step before applying these changes is to perform change impact analysis. This covers critical processes that
will be affected by implementing the change.
Example
Let us take an example. Suppose the planned changes are as follows −
Planned changes
SAP support pack 7
Custom code
SAP enhance package
System effected
Sales Order
Delivery of goods
Payment method
Creating the test plan to monitor critical processes for SAP testing while performing the change.
Evaluation of impact of change on critical processes and the purpose to implement the change.
OPA tests can be performed to check SAP Testing Navigation. OPA is known as Open Source Programming language
and it is mostly used for developing web applications. For compilation of OPA program, you can use [Link] on the
server and JavaScript on the client side.
Creating a Test using OPA
OPA allows you to use three objects in Qunit. These functions should be defined in a test so that OPA knows what
actions to be taken.
Then − assertion.
Example
The following example shows how to use all the 3 objects in Qunit −
[Link]("[Link]");
[Link]("[Link]");
//Actions
[Link]();
// Assertions
[Link]();
}
In the above function, we have assumed that the app runs in a page called [Link]. Our OPA test is located in the
test/[Link] folder.
Defining Arrangements
Defining Assertions
theButtonShouldHaveADifferentText : function () {
return [Link] ({
viewName : "Main",
id : "pressMeButton",
[Link] ({
arrangements : arrangements,
actions : actions,
assertions : assertions,
viewNamespace : "view."
});
Screen flow logic involves no external data declaration and each processing block is defined with a prefix ‘PROCESS’.
For example,
Each screen flow logic should contain PROCESS AFTER INPUT and PROCESS BEFORE OUTPUT keywords.
In an event block, you can use keywords like MODULE, FIELD, ON, VALUES, CALL, etc.
1
MODULE
2
FIELD
Specifies the point at which the contents of a screen field should be transported
3
3
ON
4
VALUES
5
CHAIN
6
ENDCHAIN
7
CALL
Calls a subscreen.
8
LOOP
9
ENDLOOP
The Flow Logic Editor of the Screen Painter will open and you edit the screen flow logic. You can use any of the
available ABAP source code editors to define the flow logic.
You can use the following keywords to create the screen flow logic −
1
CALL
Calls a subscreen.
2
CHAIN
4
ENDLOOP
5
FIELD
Refers to a field. Can be combined with the keywords MODULE and SELECT.
6
LOOP
7
MODIFY
Modifies a table.
8
MODULE
9
ON
10
PROCESS
11
SELECT
Testing Screens
Testing screens are used to test the appearance of a screen as it will appear at runtime. If you have already programmed
the flow logic, you can choose whether to simulate the screen with or without it.
Financial Modules − Finance Accounting and Controlling (FICO), Treasure (TR), and Enterprise Control (EC).
Logistics Modules − Material Management (MM), Plant Maintenance (PM), Sales and Distribution (SD), Quality
Management (QM), etc.
Human Resource Management − Accounting Payroll, Time Management, Training and Event Management.
All these modules are inter-dependent and the functionality of one module affects the functionality of other modules.
Example
Suppose you have to create a Sales Order in Sales and Distribution (SD) module. Here, you first need to enter the
transaction code(e.g., Transaction Code VA01). Next, check the stock of the item in Inventory module and check the
credit limit available on Customer profile in Customer Relationship Module. It shows that all these modules are
interdependent; if you customize any of these modules, it will affect the related ERP system.
To perform SAP testing, you need to understand the features, functionalities, and how the workflow takes place in these
SAP modules. Most of the common reasons of failure of ERP implementation project is incorrect test planning and the
use of wrong test-cases.
Non SAP ERP systems like PeopleSoft, Edwards, Oracle E business suite have different customers and capabilities. The
testing team needs to understand the functionality of complete system.
Core Testers − who are responsible to perform basic testing of ERP system and modules.
Implementation Testers − who work on implementation project and cover the customization functionalities of
SAP modules.
Customization requests from clients can impact the modules of a SAP system. The testing team should be able to record
each customization request and its impact on the other SAP modules.
ERP systems are large systems and therefore the testing process should ideally be automated. It is always advisable to
perform automated testing for ERP systems, as manual testing is a very time-consuming and lengthy process. Without
testing each component of the SAP system, it is really tough to achieve 100% quality and successful implementation of
SAP project.
The next step is to use HP Quality Center (QC) to develop the test plan and then to convert test plan design to
Test Scripts. These test plans can be converted to scripts using HP QTP.
Next, record the R/3 GUI screen of SAP system for SD module while creating Sales Order or creating PR in
MM.
After you are done with the recording in QTP tool, create a script in VB.
You can also add different parameters and customizations as per your requirement.
Example
Consider a vendor tool that takes care of employee attendance. Now, the system interface will take this information and
populate it in the SAP HR system.
Interface testing ensures that this job is running successfully to ensure that the data is transferred completely and there is
no error while transferring the data to the SAP HR system.
What is the purpose of using SAP Interface and what business scenarios are processed by the interface?
Check if the Interface is processing all business scenarios accurately as per the test strategy.
To perform Interface testing, the best practice is to start with performing Unit testing.
You have to check if the outbound interface is alright, which means that it ensures to perform file meeting
specifications in terms of layout, etc.
You have to check if the inbound interface is okay. Check if it is reading the file correctly and if it is performing
the correct steps in the target system.
An ERP system is a common centralized system and is used by multiple users simultaneously in real time. Hence it
creates a need to write the test-cases with lot of effort and dedication.
An ERP system also involves various FI transactions, so each test-case should cover the scope of all the configuration
and implementation part. Test data should be passed carefully and each test should have a column with name output data.
Example
Test Case ID − XYZ_ERP_SD_A20301
Let us check the transaction VA01 to create a sales order in the Sales and Distribution (SD) system.
Order Date
Order Type
Expiry Date
Customer ID
Shipping Id, Shipping Details, etc
Once you enter the details, press Enter and add all the details in the Sales Order.
To create a SAP test-case, you can pass input data (correct and Incorrect and see the outcome) −
Expected Output
Sales Order#
Sales Invoice#
Packing List#, etc.
Test components using TAO are uploaded to HP Quality Center. Test components created like this are normally for the
single transactions and can be later used to create test scenarios. This tool can be easily integrated with SAP Solution
Manager to maintain the different test components.
In short, you can say that SAP TAO enables SAP clients in automating the business needs by automatically creating draft
test-cases and test components.
The common versions of SAP TAO are TAO 2.0 and TAO 3.0.
These test components are created normally for one transaction code and later they can be combined to test scenarios. It
can be easily integrated with the Business Process Change Analyzer in SAP Solution Manager.
SAP TAO 2.0 comes with different Service pack SP 02, SP 04, and SP 06.
The first step is to get the requirements for SAP Testing. This includes understanding the functionality of SAP
modules and identifying the requirement for testing to be performed.
Next, get the information from the requirement analysis to generate the Test components.
The next step is to generate test-cases and components using SAP TAO tool.
The last step is to document the test results and update the analysis with test results.
Go to Test Management and Additional Information > Test Management. It will show all the compatible components
supported by SAP TAO.
Check the prerequisites for components on SAP systems in your system landscape −
Version of SAP Solution Manager SOLMAN, after checking the compatibility matrix as above.
For SAP Solution Manager Configuration work center, ensure that the systems on which testing has to be done are
connected to SOLMAN.
SAP TAO client installation requires the following configuration on local system −
RAM − 4 GB.
Free disk space − 500 MB.
LAN connection to SAP Quality Center QC server and SOLMAN.
Administration Rights.
SAPGUI with the latest patch level.
Microsoft Excel 97 or higher.
Microsoft Internet Explorer for CRM UI support.
Process Flow Analyzer is also used to identify the sequence of test components as per user actions and creation of
spreadsheet values.
Inspect
You have to add Transaction codes to the list. SAP TAO will return all the screens associated with a particular
transaction. You can choose any screen and click on Inspect option.
Consolidate
It allows you to collect multiple test components into one test. You need to find the test in Quality Center from QC tree
and click on Consolidate.
Select the Transaction code you want to consolidate and click Add to Consolidate list at the bottom to create a test
scenario.
Change Analyzer
Change Analyzer is used to track the changes and impact on the SAP system. When you make any change to a SAP
system, it identifies the affected business processes.
To use Change Analyzer, select the specific project and click the change impact analysis option. It will allow you to
review and repair the impacted components in the SAP system because of this change.
Repository
Repository is used to contain information about all the test components and flow in a project. To review information
about any test component and to check the process flow, you can click Component Explorer or PFA Explorer.
HP Server Attributes
HP Project
HP Server Attributes
Step 1 − In SAP TAO, click SAP Quality Center. You should have SAP Quality Center URL in the connection panel of
SAP TAO. Next, enter the URL in the web browser.
Step 2 − Enter the following values in SAP Quality Center by HP Site Administration and click apply to entire.
DISABLE_EXTENDED_STORAGE = N
BACKWARD_SUPPORT_ALL_DOMAINS_PROJECTS = Y
HP Project
In SAP TAO, click SAP Quality Center. You should have SAP Quality Center URL in connection panel of SAP TAO.
Step 4 − Under Subject folder, create a folder with the name BPT Resources Õ create a folder library.
Step 5 − SAP TAO notes information about test Consolidation into a user field of the test entities in QC and by
default it is TS_USER_01. Note that this is correct when connected to SOLMAN for all the tests created by SAP
TAO.
Step 6 − SAP QC users shouldn’t use the similar user field for other purposes in their Quality Center projects.
Next, connect automatically or manually to Quality Center project. This step is automatic if it is configured.
Next, create an application area with the name_SAP_Doc. The name of application area is entered when the Save
button is clicked.
It is also used to identify sequence of test components as per user actions and creation of spreadsheet values.
Click Add Transaction button Õ Enter the Transaction-code and click OK.
TAO will launch SAP and will log the Transaction entered by you. Once the transaction process is completed, click the
Stop button.
TAO will return all the screens that are used to create the process flow. Next, upload the analysis to QC. This can be
done by clicking the Upload button.
Import/Export
Import and Export options are used to export to Quality Center and import from Quality Center. You need to select the
components to be imported and exported and click the required button.
First, identify the components to be imported or exported. Click Export to SAP QC or Import from SAP QC to
import/export the required components.
Change Analyzer
Change Analyzer is used to track the changes and impact on the SAP system. When you make any change to a SAP
system, it identifies the affected business processes.
To use Change Analyzer, select the specific project and click the change impact analysis option. It will allow you to
review and repair the impacted components in the SAP system.
Inspect
You have to add Transaction codes to the list. SAP TAO will return all the screens associated with a particular
transaction. You can choose any screen and click the Inspect option.
SAP TESTING - TAO RESULTS ANALYSIS
To analyze the results of SAP TAO, perform the following steps −
Step 1 − Go to the Tests list and in the tree, click the test for the analysis. It will take you to list of reports and the status
of running tests will be displayed.
Step 2 − Analyze a test, click the View Report option. It will open a new window with a detailed report.
There is an option to adjust the columns to be displayed by clicking the mouse icon. You can also see the HTML format
of the test report by clicking the HTML Report. To investigate the test results further, you can go to the log folder from
the HTML report.
TAO BUILD & EXECUTE TEST SCRIPT
Test building is done in SAP Quality Center using SAP TAO. You need to consolidate test components to create test
scenarios. You can execute a single or multiple tests in SAP TAO using Technical Bill of Material TBOM.
In case you want to use the Business Process Change Analyzer, you need to generate a TBOM for each executable object
in test scenarios and processes.
Note − If you need to run a single test and you have to update TBOM, click Execute and update TBOM.
You can check the details of update on the TBOM page. You can modify the run list that is created in SAP TAO.
Note − If TBOM already exists at time of execution, it will only update the existing TBOM.
It happens when transactional components are gathered. The following screenshot shows the transaction components in
QC.
You need to find the test in Quality Center from QC tree and click the Consolidate option.
Select the Transaction code you want to consolidate and click Add to Consolidate list at the bottom to create a test
scenario.
As covered in the previous chapters, you need to follow the steps given below −
If you have to use UI scanner, you need to activate it in the Inspection tab of SAP TAO tool. UI scanner is used to get
the information from one screen in one go and transfer these screen objects to QC as a screen component.
UI scanner allows you to create components from SAP GUI screen which are not supported by Process Flow Analyzer or
Inspection tab.
Login to the SAP system. Enter the transaction code and go to the screen to be scanned and log off.
You can use the default UI Scanner option with QTP tool, by going to UI Scanning tab under Inspect option in SAP
TAO. Otherwise, you can use custom QTP test with UI Scanner process by going to UI Scanner and selecting external
option.
Automation Testing includes re-running the test-cases multiple times that were performed manually.
In addition to Regression testing, you can say that Automation testing is also used to test the application from load,
performance, and stress purpose. It is used to increase the coverage of test, improves accuracy, and saves time and money
in comparison to manual testing.
To set up this configuration, you need an administration authorization on SAP SOLMAN. This is required to access and
modify data table content.
T-Code: SE16
You need to display the table name: AGS_TAO_SETTING and change the value for
AGS_TAO_ENABLE_SM_SETUP to ON.
Next, check the compatibility matrix for SAP TAO and Solution Manager. SAP TAO 3.0 contains a Process Flow
Analyzer recording wizard which can be used to ease the test recording.
Note − SAP TAO 3.0 is a component for Solution Manager 7.1 and does not support Solution Manager 7.0. Open SAP
Solution Manager Configuration work center and run Transaction code − SOLMAN_SETUP.
Open SAP Logon and add the system to be tested under logon.
How to Connect SAP SOLMAN to TAO?
Go to SAP TAO and login and select SAP SOLMAN in the list. This list of system in SAP TAO is fetched from the
configuration file of SAP logon. To add a system in SAP TAO, you need to add a new system in SAP Logon and
refresh the list in TAO.
Enter the login credentials and click on logon. SAP TAO will be connected to SAP Solution Manager and TAO
configuration wizard will open up.
HP BPT removes the complexity of test-case creation and maintenance and combines all the documentation and test
automation in one effort.
Business Process Testing aligns the testing process with business goals and reduces the testing lifecycle time
considerably.
To fasten the process of test automation, it uses the method of keyword driven. You can add common best practices to
the testing process. It allows you to use a test solution which is not based on test scripts. Once a manual test is created in
BPT, you can easily automate the test-case.
You can also maintain different versions and baseline for different test components, process flows without any chance of
overwriting the old cases.
Test cases that are created using Business Process Testing tool can be executed using HP Quality Center QC.
It allows you to design and create the reusable components in test-cases and use them as per the business
requirements.
With the availability of framework to use reusable components, it decreases the effort for maintaining the test-
cases.
HP-ALM helps us to manage project milestones, deliverables, resources and keeping track of project health, standards
that allow Product owners to gauge the current status of the product. It is important to understand history, architecture,
and Quality Center Workflow.
The Requirements module enables users to define, manage and track requirements at all stages of the software lifecycle.
The following are the key functionalities in requirements module.
1 Creating Requirements
2 Uploading Requirement
3 Requirement Traceability
Enables how to define traceability links between requirements and dependencies that exist between the
requirements.
4 Traceability Matrix
Enables user to view the traceability matrix that lists source requirements and their associated requirements
and tests.
Test Plan
The crucial step in testing any application is to develop a clear and a precise test plan. A good test plan enables the team
to assess the quality of the application under test at any point in the software development life cycle.
Following functionalities are very important in order to understand the test plan module better.
1
Creating Tests
This module describes how to create folders of test subjects in the test plan tree and also to add tests.
2
Uploading Tests
3
Requirement and Test Coverage
Enable how to define the relationship between the requirements and tests.
4
Test Configuration
Specific the subset of data or a run-time environment that the test should use.
Object Repository
Object Repository is a collection of objects and properties with which QTP will be able to recognize the objects and act
on it. When a user records a test, the objects and its properties are captured by default. Without understanding the objects
and its properties, QTP will NOT be able to play back the scripts.
Actions
Actions help testers to divide scripts into groups of QTP statements called actions. Actions are similar to functions in
VBScript, however there are a few differences. By default, QTP creates a test with 1 action.
Actions Functions
Actions are inbuild feature of QTP. VBScript Functions are supported by both VBScript and QTP.
Actions parameters are passed byvalue only. Function parameters are passed either byvalue or byref.
The properties of the action can be accessed by right-clicking the Script Editor Window and selecting "Properties".
Action Name
Location
Reusable Flag
Input Parameters
Output Parameters
Types of Actions
There are three types of actions −
Non-reusable action − An action that can be called only in that specific test in which it has been designed and
can be called only once.
Reusable action − An action that can be called multiple times any test in which it resides and can also be used by
any other tests
External Reusable action − It is a reusable action stored in another test. External actions are read-only in the
calling test, but it can be used locally with the editable copy of the Data Table information for the external action.
Various companies have designed their internal solutions to meet client requirements to perform SAP Testing. Clients
can be from banking, finance, manufacturing or healthcare domain.
Example
Given below is an example of performing SAP testing for a manufacturing company.
Client Requirement − The client is a UK based manufacturing company. Project requirement was to perform SAP
testing using QTP and to perform automation and functional testing key operations in field of Human Resource, Supply
Chain, Logistics, Material Management and Plant maintenance and to use automated test cases for SAP upgrade and to
perform integration and Regression testing.
Tasks Performed − It started with understanding of key business processes and SAP system tasks to be automated.
Testing team referenced an old pilot project to finalize test strategy, time and effort required to run test execution in HP
QTP tool.
As Part of project implementation 100 business processes were successfully automated. Implemented solution resulted in
faster execution, more accuracy, increased scope and quality of service.
Tools Used − The following tools were used: SAP R/3, HP QTP, Test scripts written in VB, and Data in XML and XLS
format.
System Validation
Quality and Revenue
Cost and Predictability
Compliance Management
New Implementation and Configuration Changes
SAP Testing is about testing the functionality of various SAP modules to ensure that they are performing as per the
configuration. SAP system undergoes various changes like patch management and fixes, new module implementations
and various other configuration changes. All these raise a need for Regression testing to be performed in SAP
environments. SAP testing automation tools like SAP TAO can be used for this purpose and is recommended by SAP
for testing.
The benefits of performing SAP Testing are manifold. They are as follows −
System Validation − SAP Testing involves complete end to end testing and validation of all SAP modules in
SAP ERP environment.
Quality and Revenue − SAP Testing is an output based testing and not like conventional testing methods which
are input based and it ensures the quality of SAP system and also focuses on revenue and cost of the organization.
Cost and Predictability − SAP Testing involves reducing the SAP development costs and improve
predictability.
Compliance Requirement − SAP Testing ensures that SAP implementation is meeting the new compliance
requirements in a specific organization and all modules are working as per expected configuration.
New Implementation and Configuration Changes − There are different type of changes implemented in SAP
system, like patches and fixes, new implementation, configurational changes. SAP testing ensures that all the
modules are performing as per requirement in this dynamic system environment.
Integration − SAP testing is performed to test various reports, data flows and work flows, GUI forms, etc. It is
used to check system integration between different modules. For example, if an order posting is done that requires
an action in Sales and Distribution, MM and FICO so SAP testing check the integration between these systems.
Performance − It is also used to ensure if system will be able to meet the Service Level agreements, time taken
by system to perform specific actions, performance of the system, etc.
Some of the automating testing tools are − HP Quick Test Professional (QTP), Selenium, SAP TAO, ECATT, IBM
Rational Functional Tester, WinRunner, and LoadRunner.
What are the different stages involved in Software Testing life cycle?
The different stages that come under Software Testing Life Cycle are − Requirements phase, Test Planning, Test
Analysis, Test Design Phase, Test Implementation, Test Execution Phase, and Test Closure Phase.
Unit testing is used to test the functionality of various components in a SAP system. It is performed by domain and
configuration experts who know the functionality of each unit in a system.
Example − To create a sales order and to save it. To perform Unit testing for this task, tester should know that the sales
order can be saved using the SAP organization elements like customer master data, partner functions, material master
data, company code, credit control area, sales organization, etc.
Unit testing is used to test functionality of pieces in SAP system. It is performed by domain and configuration expert
who knows functionality of each unit in a system.
Example − To create a sales order and to save it. To perform Unit testing for this task, tester should know that the sales
order can be saved using the SAP organization elements like customer master data, partner functions, material master
data, company code, credit control area, sales organization, etc.
System Testing involves integration of elements of SAP system to ensure that related SAP functionality are linked
together in the development environment.
Example − If you say a Cash flow for a quotation in an organization would show that a quote can be used to create a
sales order, a delivery can be created and processed from the order, the delivery can be billed, the billing released to
accounting, and a customer payment applied against the accounting invoice. Each unit is tested like this and then the test
results are combined.
Scenario-based testing, as the name suggests, is performed as per specific business cases.
Example − Suppose there are a few tasks that are specific to a customer segment or a given product line or a set of
services. For these specific line of target, you have different scenarios you need to test.
This testing is also performed in the development environment, an argument can be made to say this is a test case you
would cover in system testing.
In this testing, testing data is coming from a real data extraction source, conversion is done and load exercise and data is
known to a business end user.
Example − Integration testing is used to present that the business process as designed and configured in SAP, runs using
real world data. In addition the testing shows that interface triggers, reports, workflows are working.
Interface testing ensures that a business process on a SAP system runs automatically. Ideally interface testing involves
larger testing activities as a project progresses. Interface testing shows that triggering works, the data selection is accurate
and complete, data transfer is successful, and the receiver is able to consume the sent data.
SAP UAT is used to ensure that end-users are able to perform assigned job functions with the new system. The
important aspect of this testing is to understand the business requirement and to ensure that the expected features,
functions, and capabilities are available.
Performance testing identifies bottlenecks and coding inefficiencies in a SAP system. It is carried out to check −
Whether the system response time is acceptable as per the business requirement
Whether periodic processes are running within permissible time
Whether the expected concurrent user load can be supported
Security and Authorizations Testing is used to ensure that the users are only able to execute transactions and access
appropriate data that is relevant to their project.
As with the implementation of Security standards, this is really important to test if security and authorization is placed in
a system. Test IDs for job roles are created and used to both confirm what a user can do and what a user cannot do.
This testing is usually performed once in a project lifecycle. The term “cutover” means a full scale execution of the all
tasks involved to extract data from legacy systems and then to perform any kind of data conversion, load the results into
the SAP system and fully validate the results, including a user sign-off.
SAP Regression Testing is used to find new functionalities and to test the old functionalities in a system when it is
upgraded or a new system is set up. The key role of regression testing is to test the existing functionality and newly
updated configuration and code base.
When you upgrade your SAP system or apply a patch, it shouldn’t affect the functionality that is expected to be
performed by users and to check new features that are supposed to be introduced in new release.
What is the purpose of using Navigation in SAP Testing?
SAP testing navigation ensures that you cover each module of your SAP system and at least one test to be performed for
each functionality.
It also reduces the manual testing effort and covers most of the testing paths in a SAP system. OPA tests can be
performed to check SAP Testing - Navigation.
Screen flow logic in SAP Testing is like an ABAP code and it is used to contain the processing blocks. It contains
procedural part of screen and is created in screen painter and this screen painter is similar to an ABAP editor.
What are the different modules in a SAP system and their use?
Financial Modules − Finance Accounting and Controlling (FICO), Treasure (TR), and Enterprise Control (EC).
Logistics Modules − Material Management (MM), Plant Maintenance (PM), Sales and Distribution (SD), Quality
Management (QM), etc.
Human Resource Management − Accounting Payroll, Time Management, Training and Event Management.
SAP Test-cases are required to perform a check on the installation and configuration of SAP system, any new
implementation, Multilanguage and device testing, intranet testing, real-time testing, etc.
Since an ERP system is a common centralized system and is used by multiple users simultaneously in real time, it creates
a need to write the test cases with lot of effort and dedication.
ERP systems also involve various FI transactions, so each test case should cover the scope of all the configuration and
implementation part. Test data should be passed carefully and each test should have a column with name output data.
SAP Test Acceleration and Optimization TAO 2.0 is a tool that is used to create automatic test-cases during Regression
testing of a system. It helps SAP customers to create different test components from the screens of a transaction and
parameterizes them.
These test components are created normally for one transaction code and later can be combined to test scenarios. It can
be easily integrated to the Business Process Change Analyzer in SAP Solution Manager.
What is the minimum hardware requirement to perform SAP TAO installation on a local system?
RAM: 4 GB
Free disk space: 500 MB
LAN connection to SAP Quality Center QC server and SOLMAN
Administration Rights
SAPGUI with the latest patch level
Microsoft Excel 97 or higher.
Microsoft Internet Explorer for CRM UI support
Process Flow Analyzer is used to automatically find out the user interfaces used in transaction codes executed in a SAP
system. It automatically creates the test components and upload them to Quality Center. It is also used to identify the
sequence of test components as per user actions and creation of spreadsheet values.
Consolidate is known as a process to combine SAP TAO components with inbuilt components to create test scenarios as
single transactional business components. It allows you to collect multiple test components into one test.
Go to SAP TAO and login and select SAP SOLMAN in the list. This list of system is SAP TAO is fetched from
configuration file of SAP logon. So to add a system in SAP TAO, you need to add a new system in SAP Logon and
refresh the list in TAO.
SAP TAO will be connected to SAP Solution Manager and the TAO configuration wizard will open up.