How is Integration and Testing Involved in Systems Engineering?

How is Integration and Testing Involved in Systems Engineering?

SSA integration and testing
This article explains the concept of integration and testing.

Suppose your software modules are functioning well. What can happen when those smoothly-running modules integrate into systems engineering? Things that operate well individually can break when merged. That is when integration and testing come in. Let’s review more of this concept.

Why Does Integration and Testing Matter?

Software is often made from many individual software components or modules. Issues between those modules can typically happen for numerous reasons:

Code Logic is Inconsistent

The modules are coded by various programmers whose logic and approach to development differ. When integration occurs, the modules may trigger functional or usability issues. Integration and testing ensure that the code behind these components is aligned, leading to a working application.

Shifting Requirements

Clients often shift their requirements. Modifying the code of one module to adapt to new requirements sometimes signifies changing its code logic entirely, which impacts the entire application. These changes are not usually reflected in unit testing. Therefore, integration and testing are needed to uncover the missing defects.

Incorrect Data

Data can change when it’s transferred across modules. If the data is not formatted correctly during the transfer process, it cannot be read and processed, resulting in bugs. Integration and testing are required to locate the issue and troubleshoot it.

Insufficient Exception Handling

Software developers typically account for exceptions in their code, but sometimes, they cannot see all of the exception scenarios until the modules are glued together. Integration and testing allow them to recognize those missing exception scenarios and create revisions.

Types of Integration Testing

There are multiple strategies to complete integration testing with the two top approaches being:

Big Bang Integration Testing

  • All modules are integrated and tested simultaneously in the Big Band Integration.
  • Ideal for easy and small-sized systems with low level dependency among software components
  • Minimal or no planning beforehand required

Incremental Integration Testing

Two or more modules with closely related functionality and logic are grouped and tested first, then slowly move on to other groups of modules rather than testing everything at once. Incremental integration testing is more strategic than Big Bang testing because it requires planning.

For instance, QA managers can select which module to test first based on priority, urgency, or resource availability. They don’t have to wait until all modules are available to start testing. Since issues are addressed early on, the risk of failures is low, too.

Contact SSA, Inc. Today for Systems Engineering Consulting Services

If you have any questions regarding our systems engineering consulting services, contact Systems Strategies & Analysis today. Fromย program/project management servicesย to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)/Model Based Engineering (MBE) training, our team has the skills and expertise to quickly design, build, integrate, and operate software-intensive, enterprise-wide systems. We provide every client with comprehensive solutions to satisfy their unique goals. Contact SSA, Inc. by calling our support team atย (240)813-4427ย orย sending us a messageย via our website. Follow us onย LinkedIn,ย Facebook, andย Pinterestย for company news and updates.

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