Documentation For Test Programs – Setting Parameters

Documentation for Testing Programs.

Proper documentation for testing programs is critical.  Documentation ensures that appropriate testing will be conducted to specified parameters and that it will return reliable data for analysis and repeatability of the evaluation.  It also establishes criteria and procedures for acceptable performance of the test item before, during, and after the evaluation.

Types of Documentation

There are a variety of documents that are involved in the test and evaluation process.  These include:

• Life Cycle Environmental Profile (LCEP)
• Environmental Issues/Criteria List (EICL)
• Compliance by Analysis
• Test Plans
• Test Report Summaries

Life Cycle Environmental Profile (LCEP)

The Life Cycle Environmental Profile (LCEP) is part of MIL-STD-810.  Although this is a military standard it is also widely applicable to commercial products where reliabilility and ability of the product to perform as specified in all conditions is of special concern.  The LCEP is a document derived from an analysis of climatic and dynamic stresses likely to be encountered during the entire life time of the product. 

Once identified, this document provides parameters for each stress.  This provides input into the Environmental Issues/Criteria List which is a living compendium of parameters with their rationale.

Environmental Issues/Criteria List (EICL)

Compliance by Analysis Report

Test Plans

Test Plans are written to specify exactly how a test is to be performed by test lab personnel and the product team member.  These documents also identify data that can be used for post test analysis and data to be used to ensure repeatability in future tests.  Test plans should identify information about the product to be tested including operational tests to be performed during testing, modes of operation, monitoring and simulation equipment used, and criteria for performance evaluation.

CVG Strategy offers EZ Test Plan Templates for environmental (climatic/dynamic) and EMI/EMC testing documentation.  Our Detailed Environmental Test Plans (DETP)s are written as specified in MIL-STD-810 Task 405.  They are available for specific applications and include sectors such as Ground Mobile, Ground Stationary, and Shipboard Controlled. 

These DETPs include appropriate test methods, addendums for product specific information, test labels for photo identification and data sheets for collection of required data. Profile (LCEP). 

Our Electromagnetic Interference Test Plans are written as specified in MIL-STD-461.  They contain the test methodology, addendums for product specific information, test labels for photo identification and data sheets.  These plans are available for procedures listed in MIL-STD-461 and are also available for MIL-STD-1275, MIL-STD-704, and MIL-STD-1399-300. 

Custom Test Plans are also available for applications not covered in the EZ Test Plan offerings.  These plans can be written for any number of applications and their relevant standards.

Test Report Summaries

Test Report Summaries provide a condensed output of the entire test and evaluation process.  This document is useful because it can be shared with customers without revealing potentially proprietary information, and can be used as an overview by product developers without having to sift through mountains of data.

CVG Strategy Can Provide All Your Documentation for Testing Programs.