In this article we're going explain best practices on how you can test a new engagement. 

How to test a new engagement

There are two ways how you can test a new engagement. In this article we'll describe both these approaches. Watch the interactive demonstration underneath to view our recommended method

Method 1: Setup a testing program (recommended)

• The cleanest and safest way to test out a new form is to setup a testing program. This program can be a replica of your real program or you can set it up in such a way that it's easy for testing. For example, you can set all engagements to be triggered at 0 days after enrollment, so that you can test them easily.
• When you want to create a new form, publish it in Testing mode. To understand how to do this, please follow the instructions in this article.
• Once the form is in Testing mode, add it to your program and create a new engagement with it. 
• Now, create a new record, add yourself and make sure the trigger rule is met (e.g. change action status for the record to "Testing"). You can now test the form. 
• Once you're happy with the Form, publish it to Production Mode and create a new engagement in your production program with the right trigger rules for your participants.
• In this way, you can test out a form without negatively affecting your existing participants.

Method 2: Use the Testing status

• In case you want to test out a new form before you send it to participants, you can create a Testing version of your form. To understand how to do this, please follow the instructions in this article.
• Now that you've setup a testing version of your form, add it to your program and add a new engagement that is using this testing version.
• Define a trigger rule that is specifically for testing purposes. For example, setup a new Action Status called "Testing" or use a Record Attribute. In order to learn more about how to set up Trigger Rules, read the article about how to use logic in WeGuide. 
• Now, create a new record, add yourself and make sure the trigger rule is met (e.g. change action status for the record to "Testing"). You can now test the form. 
• Once you're happy with the Form, publish it to Production Mode and create a new engagement in your program with the right trigger rules for your participants.
• There are a few risks involved with this method:
  • You're adding engagements that are used for testing in a production program. That could get confusing for people using the program
  • Incidentially, you could trigger an engagement to a real participant instead of a participant.
  • Therefore, our recommend method is a testing program. 

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