Companies seeking to improve dependability and efficiency have been flocking to SAP applications. They remove obstacles to efficient operations in several domains, including HR, supply chain, finance, and more. Rigid testing is needed due to their complexity, nevertheless. Data leaks, interruptions, and lost opportunities can all result from human mistakes.
This blog explores 7 essential SAP testing strategies every business must adopt. You’ll also discover how these strategies ensure performance, security, and reliability.
1. Understand the unique requirements of your SAP system
Each SAP implementation is customized as per the unique needs of a business. This customization enhances functionality. But it also causes complexities, and you need a custom testing plan for the desired outcome.
How to develop a customized testing approach:
- Document unique customizations
Identify all workflows, modules, and third-party integrations modified for your business.
- Prioritize high-impact processes
Focus on workflows that directly affect revenue or operations. These include payroll processing, order fulfillment, and inventory management.
- Collaborate with business users
Involve stakeholders from key departments to align priorities and understand user-specific needs.
For example:
A retail chain customizing SAP for inventory tracking is needed to test multi-warehouse stock transfers. Testing these scenarios prevented logistical nightmares during peak sales periods.
Tailored testing strategies ensure that no critical functionality is overlooked. It also helps in minimizing wasted effort in less impactful areas.
2. Embrace end-to-end testing
SAP applications do not work in isolation. They interact with other systems like:
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Third-party vendor platforms
- Legacy software
End-to-end testing verifies these integrations, ensuring seamless workflows.
Areas to test:
- Data flow validation
Confirm that data moves accurately between systems. These systems include procurement and finance modules among others.
- Third-party integrations
Test platforms like logistics APIs, payment gateways, or external tax calculators.
- Real-world scenarios
Simulate workflows like order-to-cash or procure-to-pay, testing for errors and inefficiencies.
Case Study:
A pharmaceutical company’s SAP system was integrated with government compliance tools. End-to-end testing ensured that data reporting workflows adhered to regulations, preventing costly fines.
End-to-end testing guarantees operational continuity and minimizes disruptions from integration failures.
3. Automate repetitive testing tasks
Manual testing works for one-off cases. However, it becomes impractical for regression testing, updates, or repetitive scenarios. Automation reduces time, improves accuracy, and boosts productivity.
Benefits of automation:
- Accelerates testing cycles
Automating regression testing cuts testing time by up to 60%.
- Minimizes human error
Automated scripts execute tests consistently.
- Scales testing efforts
Complex systems and scenarios become manageable with automation tools.
Recommended tools for SAP testing:
- Tricentis Tosca
A popular tool for comprehensive test automation across SAP modules.
- Worksoft Certify
Known for its no-code automation tailored for SAP.
- SAP TAO (Test Acceleration and Optimization)
Designed specifically for rapid testing of SAP systems.
Example:
A global logistics firm automated regression testing. It helped them cut their testing time from 10 days to 3 days while improving coverage by 30%.
By automating, companies can focus their energy on innovation while ensuring system stability.
4. Test performance under real-world conditions
Performance issues can lead to slow operations, frustrated users, and revenue loss. Performance testing ensures your systems can handle actual workloads.
Key aspects of performance testing:
- Simulate peak conditions
Test scenarios such as month-end reporting or Black Friday sales with high user loads.
- Track performance metrics
Monitor response times, database query speeds, and overall scalability.
- Detect bottlenecks early
Use tools like JMeter, NeoLoad, or LoadRunner to identify and resolve slow processes.
Case Study:
An e-commerce giant expecting a 400% traffic surge during holidays performed stress testing. This ensured their SAP systems could handle increased demand. It helped them prevent downtime and lost sales.
Performance testing ensures your system is reliable when it matters most.
5. Secure sensitive data
SAP apps often house data like financial records, customer data, and intellectual property. Breaches in such systems can lead to severe financial and reputational damage.
How to safeguard SAP environments:
- Role-based access control
Ensure employees only have access to data relevant to their role.
- Encryption protocols
Encrypt sensitive data both in transit and at rest.
- Regular penetration testing
Simulate cyberattacks to uncover vulnerabilities.
- Compliance checks
Adhere to industry regulations like GDPR, PCI DSS, or HIPAA.
Tip:
Implementing SAP’s in-built security tools and conducting regular security audits ensures proactive defense.
A secure SAP environment protects against threats and aligns with global compliance standards.
6. Prioritize user acceptance testing (UAT)
You need to keep the user experience as simple as you can. Even technically perfect systems can fail if users find it difficult to operate. User acceptance testing helps you build a practical and user-friendly system.
Best practices for UAT:
- Involve diverse users
Gather feedback from representatives across all relevant departments.
- Simulate real tasks
Test scenarios like invoice generation, payroll runs, or product returns.
- Iterate on feedback
Use findings to refine the system before going live.
Example:
A manufacturing firm uncovered inefficiencies in its SAP production scheduling interface during UAT. Adjustments boosted end-user satisfaction and reduced onboarding times.
UAT bridges the gap between technical success and operational usability.
7. Implement continuous testing after deployment
SAP systems evolve with frequent updates, patches, and added features. Continuous testing ensures system stability, security, and performance over time.
Post-deployment testing essentials:
- Automate regression tests
Validate existing features after updates.
- Monitor real-time performance
Track KPIs like downtime, user load, and transaction times.
- Check compatibility
Test new modules for seamless integration with existing systems.
Tip:
Use CI/CD pipelines to integrate testing into deployment processes, ensuring smooth rollouts.
Continuous improvement can enable businesses to adapt to changing needs and maintain reliability.
Bonus strategies for SAP testing efficiency
- Test with real-world data
Use production-like data to identify potential issues.
- Leverage reusable scripts
Save time by creating automated scripts for repetitive cases.
- Maintain detailed logs
Document test results for accountability and troubleshooting.
These small strategies can yield big gains in overall testing efficiency.
Conclusion
SAP testing is more than a technical necessity, it’s a strategic advantage. A well-tested SAP system ensures seamless operations, robust security, and high user satisfaction.
From customizing modules to catering to peak load, these strategies ensure reliability. Don’t leave your SAP system’s performance to chance. Invest in thorough testing for long-term success and innovation.
Are you looking for a trusted SAP application testing partner? Qualitest can help you cut your testing budget by up to 10%. They can also speed up testing delivery and cut program timelines by up to three months. Speak to an expert now!
