Processes > Our Approach
Our approach to Quality Assurance
 
BenXL has several procedures that collectively provide a very cost-effective Quality Assurance Program. We first complete comprehensive standard testing and then rely on client needs and wishes to determine how much additional testing is necessary.
 
Our standard testing begins with an analyst review of the necessary changes that are documented in our Work Document. This document is used for unit testing. After completing the unit testing, the test data, and results are passed from the programmer to the analyst for review and acceptance.
 
System and integration testing is performed by a group whose sole responsibility is quality assurance. They create or use an existing test database to execute all applications (not only those modified) and perform regression testing. The test results are then reviewed and either accepted or rejected. All final test results are then submitted to the client along with applications for their review and acceptance.
 
Data integrity and Data Quality
 
BenXL has developed open-ended, flexible applications that allow us to map any of our client’s data structure into our products.
 
Data Conversion and Reconciliation is a joint task involving BenXL and the client. It involves the following major tasks:
  • Identification of current pension and non-pension data

  • Data mapping rules

  • Identifying conversion rules to streamline the data.

  • Error and warning reports and the conditions that should generate them

  • Integrity of data and identifying checks to ensure the converted data quality does not deteriorate.

  • Control Reports

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    BenXL will use an incremental migration path as opposed to an all-or-nothing strategy. An iterative approach to quickly uncover and resolve hidden problems will limit risk and cost to the client.
     
    Development and Testing Steps
     
    The development of new system functionality requires the following steps. They are:
     
    1. Planning and discussion of system benefits
    2. Impact analysis to current processes that are already in place
    3. Creating functional specifications
    4. Plan set up and customization needed
    5. Creating the test plan
    6. Testing the changes (from a programming perspective)
    7. Moving the changes to a test environment
    8. Testing of the changes by an analyst
    9. Implementation of the changes into the production environment.
    10. Performing integration testing before releasing to clients
    11. Regression testing using actual client setups
    12. Preparing Client Release
     
    Following these steps ensures that any changes that are made to the system will meet a high level of quality.
     
    We make sure that any changes made to the system are logical from a programming and a business point-of-view. We also make sure that the changes are thoroughly tested in a BenXL test environment as well as a BenXL production environment before passing them along to the client. Upon the delivery of the change or upgrade, the client will be presented with the results of the testing (calculation results and worksheets, for example), documentation of the release, and the application itself.
     
    Dedicated team
     
    BenXL has a dedicated team of experts assigned to each project. Our consultants have many years of experience in the design and administration of pension plans. As part of the initial meetings, BenXL will review industry “Best Practices” and provide suggestions for performing tasks along with pros and cons of automation. We discuss what should be automated as well as how other companies are performing these processes. BenXL personnel assigned to the team will review and analyze each client’s plan provisions, SPDs, data and sample calculations. The deliverable from this step is a design document describing the overall system flow, calculation algorithms and all the group processes for client approval and signoff.
     
    A BenXL Implementation Manager along with the client will manage the process, acting as a liaison, setting appropriate expectations, and managing workflow within BenXL departments to ensure on-time implementation in accordance with the client’s and BenXL's expectations.
     
    In the pre-implementation stage, the client will work with the Implementation Managers to gauge the workflow necessary for an appropriate product rollout. Based on the complexity of the plan(s), the Implementation Manager will meet with the BenXL team to plan the workflow, and will report back to the client with a date for the system rollout.
     
    During the implementation process, the Implementation Manager will be responsible for the workflow and coordination of inter-department deadlines to provide a well-built and tested product. During this time, the Client Manager will become the contact point for the client.
     
    In the post-implementation stage, the Client Manager will be working with the client management in defining post-implementation training, support and system enhancements.