User acceptance testing for the Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system begins June 18. A critical element of Navy ERP’s overall testing strategy and the final step of a rigorous system testing cycle, this final series of tests serves as a “dress rehearsal” for Navy ERP before implementation Oct. 1.

During user acceptance testing personnel who will use the system validate the system’s ability to function in a real-world environment. These Navy subject matter experts and testers verify that Navy ERP meets or exceeds user expectations in performing required business processes. Upon test completion, the Navy expects to accept the system for use.

These experts will conduct step-by-step tests from the beginning with the first step in a business or financial transaction in a business process to the last step in the process. Each business process represents the daily business routine of Navy personnel.

The team will test and validate how the system interfaces with other systems, and how the system works using master data and data converted from the real work environment. This testing method ensure the Navy ERP system works correctly, meets Navy requirements and supports the needs of the personnel who will use the system.

"Testers include functional area experts from NAVAIR, NAVSEA, SPAWAR, and NAVSUP, bringing a cross section of relevant experience," said Calvin Newby, Navy ERP Quality Assurance and Testing Lead. "Their involvement gives each command a stake in Navy ERP's readiness for actual use in Navy business, financial, program management and other processes."

Testers will execute a step-by-step series of business processes placed in an end-to-end scenario that represents the end user’s daily business routines. The team will test and validate interfaces, and execute business processes using master and converted data from the testers’ production system to ensure that the solution is working to the requirements and that it supports the end user needs.

“The team will identify any defects, participate in the evaluation of the defect to help develop corrective action, and perform retesting to ensure the corrective action is adequate,” Newby said. “These efforts result in moving the program on to the next steps on its preparation to deploy the Navy ERP enterprise solution.”

According to Newby, command subject matter experts have contributed a depth of understanding and detail to the testing effort not previous achieved in the Navy ERP pilot programs.

“The lessons learned they brought to the testing effort and the level of understanding they have developed using SAP over the last several years significantly raised the standard for any Navy or DoD software program,” he added. “When we deploy the solution, their assistance will be a significant reason for the success of Navy ERP.”

For more information on Navy ERP, visit http://www.erp.navy.mil. For information on NAVAIR’s transition from Sigma to Navy ERP, visit https://sigma.navair.navy.mil.

-USN-