Recurring output.
WHAT THIS COVERS
Pulling data, processing it, and producing a file or message.
WHAT TO BUILD
Data retrieval Processing Output generation Delivery
Each separable, so each can be tested.
WHAT TO PARAMETERISE
The period, so it can be run for any range.
WHY
It allows rerunning a past period, which you will need.
WHAT TO VALIDATE
That the data retrieved is plausible before producing output.
WHY
A report generated from an empty or partial dataset is worse than no report.
WHAT TO CHECK
Row counts against expectations Totals against a known figure
WHAT TO DO IF VALIDATION FAILS
Fail loudly rather than producing the report.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN THE OUTPUT
The period covered When it was generated The source
WHAT TO DO ABOUT DELIVERY
Save to a known location, and notify.
WHAT TO LOG
That it ran, what it produced, and any anomaly.
WHAT TO MONITOR
That it runs at all. Silent failure is the risk.
