Using Automated Tools to Regression Test LIMS
Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) are an important part of any modern laboratory. It is vitally important that any LIMS in operation function properly and reliably to ensure both data integrity and regulatory compliance. As such, a thorough computer system validation (CSV) plan should be developed and executed as part of any LIMS implementation project to confirm that the system is functioning as expected.
Changes are an unavoidable part of every software development lifecycle, and this is especially true for systems deployed in a scientific laboratory. Once a LIMS has been implemented, patches, maintenance, bug fixes, enhancements, upgrades and customizations will inevitably follow to keep the system up to date and relevant for evolving workflows. As these changes are made, validation activities must be performed on the actual changed code itself to ensure it is installed and operating properly.
As an application is updated or changed, the emergence of new bugs and/or old faults is very common. In addition to performing CSV on the changed code, testing must be done to determine whether a change in one part of the LIMS has introduced or reactivated bugs in other parts of the software. Regression testing tests the aspects of LIMS functionality that were not directly changed to make sure that they are unaffected by the changes and still functioning as intended. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits and best practices of using automated tools to accomplish regression testing.
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