PeopleSoft has lot of tools to work on – some of the very popular tools include Application Designer, Application Engine, Component Interface, etc.., When PeopleSoft releases a new PeopleTools version, generally it comes up with some new tools, and also provides updates/upgrades to their existing tools. Tools like Integration Broker, Upgrade Manager, XML publisher, etc.., are very handy, but somehow they are not so common to entry level technical consultants. We recently explored a new tool for functional testing which has been delivered by PeopleSoft from the tools version 8.51. This tool proves to be so easy to access, and even entry level consultants found it easy to work on it.
This relatively new tool – PeopleSoft Test Framework seems to be slowly catching up in the functional testing space of PeopleSoft applications. It employs record and playback approach. When we record the test, it translates each of our activity into small steps, and these steps together make up a test. When we playback, the steps are executed sequentially. PTF has a test editor where we can modify the existing tests and clone them into new ones. The editor also provides options to delete or inactivate steps.
The idea behind the launch of this tool is primarily to reduce the effort spent on functional testing. The tests created in this tool are PeopleSoft managed objects, so it is easy to migrate these test assets to different PeopleSoft environments. In those instances, we need to just play it back. This is an interesting concept. As a functional tester, one can be relieved to get rid of mundane tasks to be done in each of the instances – thanks to PTF tool. No need to maintain bulky excel sheets with test cases. PTF generates the test logs and they can be viewed from PTF client along with the screenshots. We also can go ahead and create dashboard reports out of these test case results, since all the data we require for the report are already stored in the database.
This tool can also be used for regression testing. This means, we can create a test today, and use the same script after couple of years when an application upgrade is done – to see if your business processes are still intact. Organizations that have implemented PeopleSoft can very well utilize this tool for their testing needs. In the long run, customers can very well realize that the testing costs have drastically reduced.
If your organization has implemented PeopleSoft, it’s high time you try PTF.
Leave your comments below on what do you think about this tool from PeopleSoft. If you are already using this, please comment on what kind of value addition this tool has brought to you and your team.
Contributed by Karthik
