- A Problem-Solving Pattern
- Step 2: Understand the Environment
- Step 3: List Hypotheses
- Step 4: Prioritize Hypotheses and Narrow Focus
- Step 5: Create a Plan of Attack
- Step 6: Act on Your Plan
- Step 7: Test Results
- Step 8: Apply Results of Testing to Hypotheses
- Step 9: Iterate as Needed
- About this Article
Step 7: Test Results
You'll never know whether your test has done anything without checking to see if the problem still exists. You'll also never know whether you've introduced new problems with your changes if you don't test. Testing gives you confidence that all is as it should be.
I recommend that you make it a practice to keep a suite of tests that exercise the main functionality of your network. Each time you run into a problem, add a test or two to check for it as well. Given a suite like this and a system to run all the tests, you can feel confident that your network is solid at the end of the day.