A Generalized Test Operation Timeline

Explicit naming of events and activities is an important part of test.

To that end, consider that you have

• a system under test

• a test team

• a set of test procedures

• a means of communication

Below is a generalized timeline for a test operation.

Diamonds are milestones/events and consist of a single moment in time.

Rectangles are activities that require some duration.

“Show Time” is the no-later-than arrival time prior to an activity.

“Step” means the moment of beginning to transition from a briefing mindset to an execution mindset, often the physical leaving of a room or building.

“Walk Around” is the activity of directly observing and inspecting the system under test.

“Continuation Decision” is the moment where the GO/NO-GO/NOT-YET decision is made. See the post on Flight Test Activity and Decisions, specifically the Decisions section.

“Run” is the activity of test that has a beginning (“Setup”), a middle (“Maneuver”), and an end (“Recover”). During the run, any number of test objectives, test points, test procedures, test techniques, test methods, test configurations, etc may be addressed.