MHK ISDB/Tests/Test Plan
Test Plan: Test Plan
A test plan is a planning, guidance and communication document that should detail the test, including the objectives, setup, methods, equipment, expected outcomes, risk and safety procedures. The test plan can be considered as a blue print for the test. Success of a test often depends on a well written test plan and it should be kept current at all times during planning and execution. A test plan should clearly define and detail the testing to be conducted. It should outline the testing objectives and requirements, define the testing methodology, identify resources such as equipment and personnel, and provide a detailed schedule of events. The reasons for developing a test plan are:
- To communicate the testing to participants and stakeholders
- Facilitate review that will help to ensure all aspects (risk, safety, testing needs) have been properly considered
- To provide a systematic guide to setting up, executing and decommission an experiment
- To support any regulatory or legal review and approval
- In many instances, such as when testing to a standard or
- In many instances, such as when testing to a standard or when a test is sufficiently different or independent of other tests, independent test plans are recommended.
Components of a Test Plan
The following list provides an overview of the various sections of a test plan.
1. Introduction and Background
- Basic background information for the test and equipment under test. Specific subsections should include:
- Test scope and objectives
- Test duration
- Roles and responsibilities of all parties and participants
- List of reference documents (DAS and instrumentation design and engineering drawings, test article engineering documents and drawings, support equipment manuals, interface documents, etc.)
2. Description of Test Articles
- Detailed descriptions of the test article, along with renderings or other drawings that help familiarize readers with the test article and support equipment. Information should include the dimensions and weights, mooring configuration, test article specifications, etc.
3. Description of Testing Site and Test Set-up
- Overview of the staging site, test area, and deployment configurations. Information should include bathymetric map of the site and deployment coordinates of each article to be deployed, mooring configurations for each article, watch circles, historic site metocean conditions, and any information on site calibration and valid measurement sectors that will govern data acceptance/rejection.
4. Test Overview and Methodology
- A high level overview of the testing methodology and type of tests/monitoring that will be conducted. This section should also include a detailed Gantt chart of testing activities.
5. Test Descriptions
- The goals of each test, along with step-by-step testing procedures, pass/fail criteria and capture matrices. The capture matrices are a critical component of the test plan as they define how much data is needed for each test.
Other documents that should be included in the test plan for quick reference are:
- Appendix 1: Safety Compliance and Safe Operating Plans
- Appendix 2: Risk Assessment and Mitigation
- Appendix 3: Test Instrumentation and Hardware Specifications Sheets
- Appendix 4: Data/Channel List
- Appendix 5: Electrical and Mechanical Drawings