What is Test Environments Management?

Author Bio :
Samuel worked for TestLogistics, TestLogistics is a leading provider of Testing Logistics Solutions (including Test Environments Management, Test Data Management, Harnessing and Test Lab Operations), Technical Testing Solutions (i.e. Performance Testing, Infrastructure, Security, SOA & Test Automation) & Senior Test Consulting Strategy. TestLogistics provide top tier organisations with a range of services which enable significant improvements on quality, delivery and overall value.

A significant proportion of “Test Related” costs* are associated with Test Environment and Data problems. These problems range from:

Poor Test Environment Requirements,

Test Environment Un-Readiness,

Test Environment Misconfiguration,

Test Environment Unsuitability,

Test Environment Inflexibility,

Test Environment Outages and

Test Environment Resource Contention

Note: Recent surveys by the TestLogistics Company (www.testlogistics.net) have identified that most companies claimed that 20%-40% of total testing cost could be attributed to immature Test Environments and Test Data activity and/or issues.
In an attempt to address these issues, a focused and timely Test Environment Management (TEM) ability is necessary. That is, an ability that promotes the understanding of one's Environments and applies that knowledge, with appropriate mix of governance, technology and resource to provision and share environments based on business & project needs.
Niall Crawford (CIO) of TestLogistics (and previously a Test Environments & Configuration Management Practitioner) believes 8 key areas must be addressed as you evolve your TEM maturity, these are:
Environment Knowledge Management

Consistent Test Environment Requirements Definition

Environment Booking Process

Assessment & Approval Mechanisms

Planning & Release Procedures

Environments Invocation (Lab & Datacenter Orchestration)

Environments Service Management

Environments Termination

Further “deep dive” information of each of these areas can be provided through the “Test Environments Blueprint” ©TestLogistics, a blueprint designed by to help people visualize the key areas of focus when developing a model to address the Test Environment Needs of a major enterprise.