Improving a product with usage-based testing

Abstract This paper presents the introduction and application of a usage-based testing approach for the acceptance of an aircraft traffic flow management system by the FAA. The FAA needed an approach to provide more effective testing than that typically achieved in their requirements-based acceptance testing. Testing in a manner more consistent with operational usage was desired. A testing technology that was new to the organization was introduced and applied successfully. The approach resulted in a greatly improved product being released to the field, a cost-effective approach for testing, and a commitment to apply the technology across the organization.