Advanced TestStand Mastering Test Automation Professional Training
Equip engineering and test teams in Asia with deep TestStand expertise to build scalable, maintainable, and fully automated test solutions.
1. Introduction and Context in Asia
Across Asia, electronics, semiconductor, automotive, medical device, and consumer technology manufacturers are under intense pressure to shorten product development cycles while maintaining strict quality and compliance standards. Automated test solutions built on National Instruments TestStand are now a key pillar of digital transformation strategies, especially in high volume manufacturing hubs such as China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and India.
Many organizations in the region have already adopted TestStand as their test management framework, but only use a fraction of its advanced capabilities. As product portfolios expand and test complexity increases, basic usage quickly becomes a bottleneck. Without advanced skills, engineers struggle with test sequence architecture, reuse of code modules, deployment to multiple sites, and integration with LabVIEW, LabWindows or C, Python, C Sharp, and other environments.
This advanced program is designed to bridge that gap. It focuses on real world challenges faced by Asian manufacturing and R&D teams, including:
- Managing large test suites across multiple product variants and revisions.
- Standardizing test frameworks for regional and global production sites.
- Integrating TestStand with existing MES, ERP, and quality systems.
- Meeting stringent traceability requirements for export and regulatory compliance.
- Scaling from bench level validation to fully automated high volume test lines.
By mastering advanced TestStand features and best practices, participants will be able to design test architectures that are robust, modular, and easy to maintain, supporting the rapid growth and competitiveness of their organizations in Asia and worldwide.
2. The Business Case for HR and Managers
Investment in advanced TestStand training delivers measurable returns in productivity, product quality, and cost reduction. For HR leaders and technical managers, the benefits can be quantified across several dimensions.
Productivity and Time to Market
- Faster test development: Engineers who understand advanced sequencing, process models, and reusability patterns can reduce new test sequence development time by 20 to 40 percent by leveraging templates, plug ins, and shared components.
- Reduced debugging effort: Systematic use of TestStand debugging tools, step types, and error handling significantly shortens root cause analysis and rework cycles.
- Quicker deployment: Mastery of deployment utilities and configuration management enables consistent rollout of test systems across multiple lines or factories with fewer post deployment issues.
Quality, Compliance, and Traceability
- Improved test coverage: Advanced sequencing and parameterization allow more sophisticated test strategies and variant handling, leading to better coverage without excessive test time.
- Enhanced traceability: Correct use of logging, custom report generation, and database integration provides reliable data for audits, customer reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Standardization: A well designed TestStand architecture becomes a corporate test standard, reducing variability between sites and suppliers and aligning with ISO, IATF, IEC, and FDA expectations.
Cost Reduction and Risk Mitigation
- Lower maintenance costs: Modular, documented sequences are easier to maintain, even when staff changes occur, which is especially important in high turnover environments in some Asian markets.
- Reduced downtime: Advanced diagnostics, error handling, and recovery strategies cut unplanned line stoppages and improve overall equipment effectiveness.
- Talent retention: Providing advanced, vendor aligned training demonstrates a commitment to technical career paths, which helps retain high potential engineers and test architects.
For HR and L&D teams, this program can be integrated into technical competency frameworks for test engineering, automation engineering, and R&D roles. It supports succession planning by developing internal experts who can mentor junior staff and drive standardization initiatives across the organization.
3. Course Objectives
By the end of this intensive program, participants will be able to:
- Design and implement scalable TestStand architectures suitable for complex products and multi site deployments.
- Leverage advanced sequence structures, process models, and plug ins to maximize reuse and maintainability.
- Integrate TestStand effectively with LabVIEW, LabWindows or C, .NET, Python, and other code modules.
- Configure robust error handling, debugging, and diagnostic strategies to minimize downtime.
- Create customized reporting and database logging solutions that meet corporate and regulatory requirements.
- Implement user management, security, and configuration strategies aligned with IT and quality policies.
- Automate deployment and version control of TestStand test systems across multiple environments.
- Apply best practices for performance optimization in high volume production test.
- Collaborate effectively with cross functional teams to align test architecture with product and process requirements.
4. Detailed Syllabus
Module 1: Advanced TestStand Architecture and Design Principles
Positioning TestStand as a central test management framework across R&D and production.
- Review of core TestStand concepts and limitations of basic usage.
- Architectural patterns for scalable test systems in multi product environments.
- Separation of test logic, hardware abstraction, and user interface layers.
- Using process models as a corporate test execution standard.
- Designing for reuse, modularity, and configuration driven behavior.
- Case examples from electronics and automotive manufacturing in Asia.
Module 2: Advanced Sequencing, Step Types, and Flow Control
- Best practices for sequence files, subsequences, and sequence modularization.
- Using advanced flow control, including preconditions, post actions, and custom step properties.
- Creating and managing custom step types for organization wide consistency.
- Parameter passing strategies for complex test sequences and nested calls.
- Handling parallel and batch testing scenarios for multi unit fixtures.
- Optimizing sequence execution for performance and maintainability.
Module 3: Process Models and Plug Ins in Depth
- Understanding built in process models and when to customize them.
- Creating, modifying, and maintaining custom process models safely.
- Implementing plug in architectures for reporting, database logging, and station configuration.
- Separating product specific logic from process wide behavior.
- Versioning and deployment strategies for custom process models.
- Aligning process model behavior with corporate quality and test policies.
Module 4: Integration with LabVIEW, LabWindows or C, .NET, and Python
- Best practices for calling external code modules from TestStand.
- Data type mapping and parameter passing between TestStand and LabVIEW, LabWindows or C, and .NET assemblies.
- Integrating Python scripts for specialized algorithms and data analysis.
- Error handling and exception propagation from external modules.
- Managing shared libraries and drivers across multiple test stations.
- Performance considerations when mixing different code module technologies.
Module 5: Reporting, Data Logging, and Database Integration
- Configuring and customizing TestStand report generation.
- Designing report formats for internal stakeholders and external customers.
- Database logging architectures for traceability and analytics.
- Using the Database Viewer and custom schema design.
- Integrating with MES or quality systems common in Asian manufacturing plants.
- Data retention, security, and privacy considerations.
Module 6: Error Handling, Debugging, and Diagnostics
- Systematic use of the TestStand debugger and execution tracing.
- Designing robust error handling strategies at step, sequence, and process levels.
- Implementing recovery and retry mechanisms for production environments.
- Logging diagnostic information without impacting cycle time.
- Common pitfalls in complex sequences and how to avoid them.
- Real world troubleshooting exercises based on typical line issues.
Module 7: User Management, Security, and Configuration
- Configuring user accounts, roles, and privileges.
- Aligning TestStand security with corporate IT policies.
- Managing station globals, configuration files, and model options.
- Techniques for product variant configuration without code duplication.
- Audit trails and change tracking to support compliance.
- Practical guidelines for shared stations, contractors, and supplier access.
Module 8: Deployment, Version Control, and Multi Site Rollout
- Using the TestStand Deployment Utility effectively.
- Packaging sequences, process models, and code modules for distribution.
- Integrating with source control systems such as Git or SVN.
- Managing configuration differences between development, validation, and production.
- Strategies for rolling out updates across multiple factories and suppliers.
- Backout and rollback plans to minimize production risk.
Module 9: Performance Optimization and High Volume Test
- Identifying and removing bottlenecks in test sequences.
- Balancing test coverage and cycle time for mass production.
- Parallel testing strategies for multi site and multi UUT fixtures.
- Resource locking and synchronization to avoid race conditions.
- Monitoring and analyzing test system performance over time.
- Examples from high volume electronics and automotive production lines.
Module 10: Capstone Project and Best Practices Consolidation
- End to end design of a TestStand based test system for a realistic device under test.
- Application of process models, custom step types, and reporting strategies.
- Peer review of sequence architecture and coding standards.
- Documentation, handover, and maintainability guidelines.
- Action planning for applying learning to participants own projects.
5. Methodology and Learning Approach
The program is delivered using a highly interactive, hands on format that mirrors the real environment of test engineers and automation specialists in Asia. Rather than relying only on theory, participants work through practical scenarios, guided labs, and group problem solving.
- Instructor led demonstrations: Step by step walkthroughs of advanced features using realistic examples.
- Hands on exercises: Individual and small group labs on dedicated TestStand workstations or virtual machines.
- Code and sequence reviews: Facilitated reviews of participants own sequences where appropriate, with improvement suggestions.
- Case studies: Discussion of successful TestStand deployments in Asian manufacturing and R&D environments.
- Q and A clinics: Dedicated time for participants to raise current project challenges and receive expert guidance.
- Job aids and templates: Reusable checklists, architecture templates, and coding standards that can be adopted internally.
Delivery can be customized as onsite training at your facility, virtual instructor led sessions for distributed teams, or a blended format that combines both. Exercises can be tailored to match your industry, product type, and toolchain, ensuring direct relevance to participants daily work.
6. Who Should Attend
Primary Audience
- Test engineers and test system developers already familiar with basic TestStand usage.
- Automation engineers responsible for integrating hardware, software, and test frameworks.
- R&D and validation engineers who need to standardize test processes across multiple projects.
- Technical leads and test architects designing corporate wide test strategies.
Secondary Audience
- Production engineers and line support staff involved in maintaining automated test stations.
- Quality and reliability engineers who rely on accurate test data and traceability.
- Engineering managers, project managers, and technical supervisors overseeing test teams.
- IT or systems integrators supporting test infrastructure, databases, and MES integration.
Participants should have prior exposure to TestStand at an intermediate level and basic familiarity with at least one programming environment such as LabVIEW, LabWindows or C, C Sharp, or Python. The program is suitable for organizations at different stages of TestStand adoption, from initial standardization to large scale multi site deployments.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended duration of the program?
The typical duration is 3 to 4 intensive days, depending on the depth of customization and the number of hands on labs included. For distributed teams, the content can be split into shorter virtual sessions delivered over several weeks.
What prerequisites are required?
Participants should be comfortable with the TestStand environment, have created basic sequences, and understand fundamental concepts such as steps, sequences, process models, and report generation. Prior experience with LabVIEW, LabWindows or C, .NET, or Python is highly beneficial. A short pre course assessment can be provided to validate readiness.
Can the course be tailored to our industry and toolchain?
Yes. Content can be adapted for electronics, semiconductor, automotive, medical devices, aerospace, or other sectors. Integration examples can be aligned with your preferred languages, hardware platforms, and data systems. Where appropriate, anonymized excerpts of your existing sequences can be incorporated into exercises.
Do participants need individual TestStand licenses?
For onsite delivery, it is ideal for each participant to have access to a workstation with a valid TestStand installation. For virtual delivery, cloud based or virtual machine environments can be arranged. Options can be discussed during the planning phase to match your licensing model and IT policies.
How is learning evaluated and followed up?
Evaluation typically includes practical exercises, a capstone project, and instructor feedback. Post training, managers receive a summary of learning outcomes and recommendations for next steps. Optional follow up coaching sessions or project reviews can be scheduled to support implementation on live projects.
Is the program suitable for teams across multiple Asian locations?
The course is designed with regional deployment in mind. It can be delivered in a hybrid model, with core sessions conducted centrally and supplemental virtual sessions for remote sites. Case studies and examples highlight cross site standardization, supplier integration, and cultural considerations relevant to teams across Asia.
By equipping your technical teams with advanced TestStand skills, your organization gains a strategic advantage in building reliable, scalable, and future ready automated test systems that support rapid innovation and sustainable growth across Asian and global markets.