A method and system for automated testing of a system such as a billing
module in a telecommunication system is disclosed. In a first embodiment,
test APIs, scenarios and configuration information are embedded into the
module itself in a way such that, when testing is desired, tests may be
conducted without any need for a dedicated test environment. Tests can be
run from within the module itself, thereby eliminating the risk, expense
and time required to use external testing systems and data to test the
module. In another embodiment, operational data such as live operational
orders are wrapped in test headers and are used as input data for testing
purposes within the billing module. In this embodiment, test APIs may be
embedded into all modules of an operational support system so that
complete system end-to-end testing is possible without the use of
dedicated external test equipment and processes.