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# Testing Standards

- QA performs tests according to written test plans, using the product’s minimum operating environment.
- QA uses QATRs to report all problems, no matter how small. QA provides Software Development with as much information as possible about the problem, what type of testing was being done at the time the problem occurred, and where in the software the problem is located.
- QA tests the software and reads the user documentation, making sure that they agree with the technical specification.
- QA tests software in rounds on a fixed set of media. A round begins when Software Development gives the media to QA. A round ends when QA completes the test cycle or when QA cannot continue because of software problems. The process ends when all issues are resolved.
- QA backs up data files frequently, especially before posting processes, after setting up for specific tests, and before performing period-end and year-end functions. This ensures that the proper data is available to recreate a specific problem or to use for a later test.