[Feature]: Power Pipeline Test Engine Execution with Native Integration

[Grant-Archibald-MS]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

Makers need to be able to streamline testing processes, ensuring high-quality applications are delivered through every stage of the deployment pipeline with minimal manual intervention.

Key elements to consider:

1. Local Testing:

   • Provide clear steps and tools for executing tests locally.
   • Documentation on setting up a local environment that mirrors the Power Platform pipelines.
   • Examples of running typical tests locally before pushing changes to the pipeline.

2. Execution with Power Platform Pipelines:

   • Detailed guidance on integrating test execution within Power Platform pipelines.
   • Instructions for configuring pipelines to include test stages in the approval and review process.
   • Ensure the pipeline supports transitions from development to test, and then to production, with automated test execution at each stage.

3. Extensibility Points for Low-Code ALM:

   • Provide extensibility points in the pipeline to accommodate custom test processes.
   • Documentation on how to leverage these points to build a low-code ALM (Application Lifecycle Management) process.
   • Examples of implementing test execution within the ALM framework, ensuring each phase of development includes comprehensive testing.

Describe the solution you'd like

1. Local Testing:

   • Steps and Tools for Local Execution:
     • Provide a clear, step-by-step guide on how to set up local testing environments using Visual Studio Code.
     • Include instructions on how to install necessary extensions and configurations to mirror the Power Platform pipelines.
   • Documentation:
     • Detailed documentation on setting up a local environment that mimics the actual deployment pipelines.
     • Examples of running typical tests locally before changes are pushed to the pipeline, ensuring initial errors are caught early.

2. Execution with Power Platform Pipelines:

   • Integrating Test Execution:
     • Provide detailed guidance on integrating test execution within Power Platform pipelines.
     • Include instructions on configuring pipelines to incorporate test stages within the multi-stage approval and review process.
   • Automated Transitions:
     • Ensure the pipeline supports seamless transitions from development to test, and then to production, with automated test execution at each stage.
   • Post-Deployment Test Execution:
     • Utilize the Extend pipelines in Power Platform documentation to trigger the execution of pac test run post-deployment.

3. Extensibility Points for Low-Code ALM:

   • Custom Test Processes:
     • Provide extensibility points within the pipeline to accommodate custom test processes.
     • Include documentation on leveraging these points to build low-code ALM (Application Lifecycle Management) processes.
   • Implementation Examples:
     • Offer examples on implementing test execution within the ALM framework, ensuring that each phase of development includes comprehensive testing.

Describe alternatives you've considered

No response

Additional context?

No response

[Grant-Archibald-MS]

Adding context of End to End target ALM process https://grant-archibald-ms.github.io/powerfuldev-testing/examples/coe-kit-test-automation-alm#coe-kit--target-alm-architecture

[Grant-Archibald-MS]

Also added idea to extend Learning Modules to include DevOps Learning Path for Test Engine Grant-Archibald-MS/powerfuldev-testing#21