Agency Testing
Testing Timeline
Key dates associated with data conversion, interface testing, and user acceptance testing are included in the below Testing Timeline. Additional details about agency readiness tasks can be found in the Readiness Workplan.
Click on the timeline graphic below to view an interactive testing timeline with information about each phase.
Interface Testing
What are interfaces? Interfaces refer to data exchanges between Florida PALM and external business systems. Florida PALM will interface with agency business systems, enterprise partners (e.g., MFMP, People First) and third parties (e.g., banks). Agencies are responsible for gaining an understanding of planned Florida PALM functionality, making decisions about how the agency will provide or consume Florida PALM information, and preparing agency business systems for interfacing with Florida PALM.
To support agency understanding, based on the completion of the design phase, the Project has provided a list of interface layouts through the Interface Catalog on the Knowledge Center. As the Project, enterprise partners, agencies, and third parties complete testing (e.g., system testing, interface testing, and user acceptance testing), additional changes may be made to interface layouts. The “As of Date” column on the Interface Catalog tables reflects either the original date of publication or the most recent date on which the layout was updated. Please check the Interface Catalog regularly for updates.
What options are there besides interfaces to extract data out of Florida PALM? Interfaces are one of several ways that information can be obtained from Florida PALM. The Data Availability Graphic illustrates where and how data will be available within the Florida PALM system, the Data Warehouse, and agency business systems. This graphic also describes where agencies may choose to receive information using standard interfaces from Florida PALM to maintain agency business systems that support those ongoing operations. Alternatively, agencies may request the Project create agency-unique data extracts from the Data Warehouse to support agency-unique needs for information not contained in the Project provided interfaces. These requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. More information about the Reporting Solution and reports and reporting tools offered by Florida PALM and the Data Warehouse can be found in the Knowledge Center.
How many stages of interface testing are planned? There are three phases of testing planned for the Financials and Payroll implementation. Each is described below
How can agencies learn more about interface testing? An Interface Testing and Conversion workshop is planned for June 11, 2025. During the all-day event, the Project’s leadership, functional, and technical team members will provide information and discussion opportunities to support the understanding of agency data and business system readiness activities. This workshop will provide information and discussion opportunities to support the understanding of agency data and business systems readiness activities. Greater details will be shared on:
- Interface Testing, including the various cycles, the timeline for execution, the partner/participant expectations, and the implications (the “so what”) of the testing process
- Conversion activities, including the various conversion cycles, the Project’s activities to lead and support the conversion process, and agency activities with regard to data review, clean up and usage
Agency Build and Unit Test
Agencies are currently completing their internal build and unit testing activities for their agency business systems based on their interface selection confirmation. A view of each agency's internal build and unit testing progress is now available. The Test Readiness Status button provides a snapshot of the current interface testing readiness by agency.
Agency Test Readiness Status
The reports below are real-time, live snapshot status of the agencies' readiness for Interface Cycle 2 – Technical Testing as reported by each agency for all interfaces and agency business systems. In addition to individual agency reports, the table includes a report for the status by interface and then agency, as well as the status by agency and agency business system.
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User Acceptance Testing
As described in the UAT Approach, agencies will participate in UAT for 11 months through the following stages.
What to Expect
Registration for UAT Online will be available on the Florida PALM website. Sessions will be grouped by business process and role. Space is limited so be sure to identify the correct SME. Sessions will be held weekly, and topics will not repeat. These sessions will include guided system navigation and the functions performed in the Topics and Activities listing.
Included in UAT Online
- Processing transactions online
- Online batch processing and Data Warehouse batch processing
- Processing spreadsheet uploads
- Processing reports in Florida PALM and the Florida PALM Data Warehouse
- Creating new Queries in the Florida PALM Data Warehouse
- Off-cycle payroll processes (e.g., cancellations, adjustments)
Not Included in UAT Online
- Interface testing – this will occur in a separate interface testing environment
- Interface batch processing
- Payroll Processing (i.e., biweekly, monthly, supplemental) – this will occur in the interface testing environment and in the parallel testing environments
Included in UAT Full
- Processing transactions online
- Processing spreadsheet uploads
- Interface processing
- Full batch schedule
- Processing reports in Florida PALM and the Florida PALM Data Warehouse
- Creating new Queries in the Data Warehouse
- Interface batch processing
- Full Payroll Processing
Not Included in UAT Full
- NA
How to Prepare
Agencies have a role in UAT preparation. Before participating in UAT, agencies should prepare by planning for, or completing, the following:
- Review or complete your change analysis inventory (RW Task 560) to understand the changes in business processes or systems that need testing and validating during testing
- Create User Stories to support user testing (RW Task 574)
- Gathering of agency data and documentation (e.g., applicable COA values, source documents to support work simulation)
- Coordination / assignment of agency participants (RW Task 573-A, 573-B)
- Prepare for UAT Full sessions (logistics, materials, etc.)
Coming soon!