Testing is often seen as the “final hurdle” in ERP programs, but in reality, it’s the foundation of confidence for go-live. In Episode 11 of the D365 Insights Podcast, we sat down with Anthony Bradburn, Program Director with over 30 years of ERP experience, to unpack why testing is testing - and how each phase builds assurance that your Dynamics 365 program is fit for purpose.

Why Testing Matters

Anthony describes testing as a safe haven: the place where issues surface before they can disrupt business continuity. Without rigorous testing, organisations risk costly downtime, reputational damage, and failed transformations.

Testing isn’t just about scripts - it’s about mindset. Teams must embrace disappointment, surface defects, and work through stop-start cycles to ensure the system is truly ready.

Key Phases of Testing

Anthony walked us through the journey from unit testing to dress rehearsal, explaining how each stage builds confidence:

• Unit Testing: Testing individual components in isolation during the build phase.

• System Integration Testing (SIT): Bringing modules together, first without security (SIT1), then with role-based access (SIT2).

• User Acceptance Testing (UAT): End-to-end testing by real business users, validating that processes work in practice.

• Dress Rehearsal: A full cutover simulation before go-live, ensuring data migration, processes, and timings are achievable.

Each phase is a stepping stone, moving from technical validation to business assurance.

Creating Psychological Safety

Testing requires transparency and a no-blame culture. Teams must feel safe to raise issues without fear, knowing that defects found in testing save far greater pain later.

The Role of Test Automation

With Dynamics 365 mandating regular updates, regression testing is unavoidable. Anthony highlighted the ROI of test automation tools like Leapwork, which reduce resource strain, run 24/7, and deliver reliable, repeatable results. For long-term ERP success, automation is no longer optional - it’s essential.

Final Takeaway

From unit test to dress rehearsal, each phase of testing is about building confidence. Success lies not just in the tools, but in the culture: embracing defects, investing early in test leadership, and creating psychological safety for teams.

As Anthony reminded us, there’s one commodity you can never get back: time. Investing in testing early saves it later.

👉 Catch the full conversation in Episode 11 of the D365 Insights Podcast: From Unit Test to Dress Rehearsal – Building Confidence Through Every Phase of Testing.