There are various factors that affect Software Integration and hence Integration Testing:
1) Software Configuration Management: Since Integration Testing focuses on Integration of components and components can be built by different developers and even different development teams, it is important the right version of components are tested. This may sound very basic, but the biggest problem faced in n-tier development is integrating the right version of components. Integration testing may run through several iterations and to fix bugs components may undergo changes. Hence it is important that a good Software Configuration Management (SCM) policy is in place. We should be able to track the components and their versions. So each time we integrate the application components we know exactly what versions go into the build process.
2) Automate Build Process where Necessary: A Lot of errors occur because the wrong version of components were sent for the build or there are missing components. If possible write a script to integrate and deploy the components this helps reduce manual errors.
3) Document: Document the Integration process/build process to help eliminate the errors of omission or oversight. It is possible that the person responsible for integrating the components forgets to run a required script and the Integration Testing will not yield correct results.
4) Defect Tracking: Integration Testing will lose its edge if the defects are not tracked correctly. Each defect should be documented and tracked. Information should be captured as to how the defect was fixed. This is valuable information. It can help in future integration and deployment processes.
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