Authors
David Harrison & David A. Howard
Abstract
Many GxP critical spreadsheets need to undergo validation and testing to ensure that the data they generate is accurate and secure.
This paper describes a pragmatic approach to the testing of Excel spreadsheets using a novel procedure of 'live' testing. Although demonstrated on Excel spreadsheets, this testing approach provides a flexible solution for testing many data intensive systems, and can be successfully adapted to databases, LIMS and ERP systems.
This is the final article in the short series of papers describing a generic process for validating Excel spreadsheets.
This article describes the practices and procedures that can be used to test Excel spreadsheets and to ensure they are maintained in a compliant state. Previous articles in this series have given an overview of the validation process and a description of the specification phase.
Sample
The spreadsheet validation process uses an the model shown in this figure.
The process is designed to confirm that the spreadsheet calculates accurate results, and is installed and operates as defined in the specification document.
Publication
2007, Pharma IT Journal, Volume 1, Number 4, October, pages 25-31
Full article
A pragmatic approach to the testing of Excel spreadsheets - Part 3
Also see
A pragmatic approach to the validation of Excel spreadsheets - Part 1
A pragmatic approach to the specification of Excel spreadsheets - Part 2
