1

Understand the Objective of the Test

• The objective of the load test must be understood and the outcome of the test expressed in concrete terms such as an acceptable range of values.

2

Design the Automated Test

• Map out the test environment, test conditions including prerequisites, the number of virtual users, scenario being timed, and resources to be monitored. Understand the distribution of activities and simultaneous scenarios.
• Create load test scenarios.
• Within a load test scenario, create the test mix, load profile, and simulated environment.
• The test mix is comprised of the tasks that are performed, the time between tasks, and the frequency of the tasks.
• Insert the think time or the delay between responses.
• In the load profile, determine how many users are tested in a constant or stepped load.
• Determine the simulated environment such as the network emulation speed and types of browsers used.
• Add any unit tests to simulate additional load. This is the unit test under load.

3

Write the Test

• Record the steps that users perform. Include validations to check that results returned are accurate under stress. Use data binding to make the tests dynamic using a .NET data source such as SQL Server, Microsoft Excel, or Microsoft Access.
• Place the test in the test folder of the load quality of service requirement. Create a test folder if it does not exist, naming it the same name as the quality of service requirement.
• Check in the test.

The load tests verify that the quality of service requirements pertaining to performance under load are met.