The code review confirmed the results of the previous phase. The last and probably most important stage in the process was the testing process. In this process, a separate test server was set up with dummy data. Then with the server date changed to several critical dates, we performed the regular operations on the system and checked to see that the entries posted to the database were accurate and that the reports that were generated chose the correct records. In a Year 2000 project, it is not enough to simply test the software.
Testing dovetails into documentation.
It is essential to have evidence that the tests were run and the correct results were obtained, so that, in case of litigation at a later date, this documentation can serve as proof that testing was indeed, done. With this level of emphasis on documentation as well as thorough testing, the testing phase grew to around three fourths of the total project cost. At the end of the exercise, we had not only tested the software, but had a document listing out the aims and objectives of the testing phase, the areas that were tested, the testing plan, the test cases and the results. The Project is an Y2K type. The technologies used are PowerBuilder and Oracle in WIN 95, NTplatform.