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How to set up Test plans

Test plans are a way to document and track different processes, quality standards, and materials. They are designed for subcontractors or contractors to ensure the quality of their work on-site. This article will explain test plans in Dalux, how to create test plans, and how to use them.

Table of contents

  1. How to set up test plans

A test plan is a predefined list of items that the subcontractors/contractors need to check, to document the quality of their work. Typically, test plans are divided into different trades and stages within the construction.

Using test plans in Dalux can be done on-site with Dalux Mobile.

More info

If you are looking for inspection plans, where a supervisor is checking the work done by a contractor, you can read this article: How to set up Inspection plans.

How to set up test plans

User rights

Activation and setup for test plans must be done by a project or Field Administrator.

Before you can use test plans on your project, you need to enable the feature. To do so, go to

 Settings Field Add features 'Test plans' Activate.

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Test plans in Dalux can be created manually or imported from an Excel template.

To start creating test plans, go to  Settings Field 'Test plans'.

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From the pop-up menu, you have three options. You can:

  • Create a new test plan
  • Copy a test plan from another project
  • Copy a test plan from the company profile

Copying existing test plans is useful if the same test plans are used across different projects.

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Making a new test plan in Dalux

To create a new test plan, go to

Settings Field 'Test plans' Add Create new.

In the window, fill out the name, prefix and associate the test plan with a work package and workflow. You can also select which columns to include in the test plan.

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Test plans in Dalux can be created manually, point by point, or imported from an Excel template.

To create the test plan manually, drag and drop points from the side menu. You can then enter the required information in each field. Unwanted points can be dragged to the -icon at the bottom, to be deleted.

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Alternatively, you can use Excel to import multiple points at once. First, make a template in Dalux or use the empty test plan.

Copy it to your clipboard by clicking Copy. Then open up Excel and press 'CTRL+V' (Paste).

You can then start filling out the cells in Excel. When you are done, the entire table can be copied and pasted back into Dalux, by clicking Paste in the top menu and pressing 'CTRL+V'.

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 Tips and tricks

For Dalux to properly import from Excel, it is important that the formatting is done correctly. If you are unsure, try making some group headings, subheadings, and inspection points in Dalux and then copy them to Excel, to get an idea of the formatting. Note that pasting from the clipboard adds the data to the existing test plan in Dalux, rather than overwriting it.

How to add a checklist to a test plan

Checklists can be added to the different inspection points. This is useful if a certain process has multiple checks that need to be done.

To attach a checklist to a test plan, click 'Checklist' in the registration type column, choose the checklist you want to attach and click 'OK'.

When you add a checklist to a test plan, the checklist will automatically open, when the inspection point is clicked while filling out a new test plan.

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What is the extent column? 

For each point, you can decide on an extent. This is the number of tests that need to be done. Extent is optional and set to "No extent" by default.

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The extent can be planned by clicking Plan extent. The extent can be set to the following:

  • No extent (no specific number of tests planned)
  • Quantity (number of tests planned)
  • Zones (number of tests planned in certain locations)

The extent planned in zones can be set as a quantity or tied to a 2D or 3D object group. When you set a quantity in a zone, only registrations done in the set zone count toward the set extent. By adding zones to an extent, you can ensure the tests are spread throughout the different locations.

Partial extent using objects and zones

When you use extent in zones with 2D or 3D object groups, you can set partial extent. Partial extent allows you to specify a percentage of inspections to be performed.

For example, if the specifications require that 50% of all doors on each floor in the building be inspected, this can be set up as a partial extent.

As the 3D objects in the zone are inspected, the extent is automatically updated. The inspection is complete when the partial extent is satisfied. Checks can still be performed to go beyond the partial extent.

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More info

To learn more about zones you can read this article: Zones and zone layers.

To learn more about 2D and 3D object groups you can read this article: How to create 2D / 3D object groups.

How to plan extent using the extent overview

To plan extent for a test plan, you must be editing the template. Start by going to:

DaluxIcon_settings.pngSettings DaluxIcon_chevron-right.pngFieldDaluxIcon_chevron-right.png'Test plans'

Select a test plan and click on DaluxIcon_edit.pngEdit. In the top right corner, click on Extent overview.

In the new window, you will see your extent overview.

  • On the top of the window, the inspection points are shown
  • On the left, you will see your zones and zone layers
  • The middle part of the window contains the matrix

When you click in the matrix, a panel on the right will open. Here you can set the amount and type of extents.

How to use counts in zones

You can use 'Count' to plan a certain number of checks in the different zones. If you want to set the same count for all your zones, the count can be quickly copied.

To set a count, click in the matrix corresponding to the inspection point and the zone. In the menu on the right, click 'Count' and type in a number.

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If you intend to use the same count across all or multiple zones, you can drag-and-drop across multiple zones and inspection points.

 Tips and tricks

This method is also recommended if you are using different counts in different zones. Dragging and dropping an extent set to e.g. 'Count' copies this type of extent to the other cells in the matrix.

You can also drag-and-drop a 'No extent' cell to quickly reset all planned extent.

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The total planned registrations are automatically updated and can be seen at the top. 

If needed, you can click on the individual cells in the matrix and change the extent type or amount in the menu on the right. 

When done, remember to click 'Save'.

How to use 2D or 3D object groups for extent

If you have created 2D or 3D objects groups, these can be used to automatically set the count.

You can read more about 2D or 3D object zones in this article: How to create 2D / 3D object groups.

Grouping well-defined 2D or 3D objects is useful for planning, especially if you need to check each object. For example, if you need to check each door in a building and each door is part of a 2D or 3D object group, the total number is automatically updated in the extent overview.

 Technical information

Extents using 2D or 3D objects are dynamically updated. When adding or removing objects from these groups, the extent will automatically update as well.

To set extent from 2D or 3D object groups, click on a cell in the matrix. Then in the side menu, click either '2D objects' or '3D objects'. Search or select which group you want to use.

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In the example above, the first column is using 2D objects and the second column is using 3D objects.

You can quickly drag and drop across multiple zones, to set the extent as 2D or 3D objects for the zones.

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When done, remember to click 'Save'.

Test plan matrices

Test plan matrices are used to get an overview of the extent of tests. You can also use matrices to quickly plan the extent of inspection points across one or more test plans. You can set up custom matrices across multiple test plans.

Matrices will also be auto-created and gradually filled as you create inspection points.

To set up matrices, go to

 Settings Field 'Test plan matrices' Name to the matrix and choose the corresponding test plan.

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Then, choose the zones you want to plan the test plans in.

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You can choose any point of the test plan if you want to plan:

  • A number of checks that you decide yourself: choose 'Count'.
  • One check for every object in a 2D object group: choose '2D object group'.
  • One check for every object in a 3D object group: choose '3D object group'.

You can drag and copy from cell to cell, to quickly set extent across multiple points, zones, and test plans.

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Once you are ready, click 'Save' to save your matrix and the extents will update in the test plan.

 Read more

If you want to learn more about using test plans, read this article: How to use Test plans.

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