If the data is wrong… decisions are wrong.
What to Validate:
- Report data matches actual records
- Filters return correct results
- Grouping & totals are accurate.
- User visibility (who can see what)
How to Test:
Always validate against real data:
- Pick a record → verify it appears in the report
- Check filters (date, status, owner, etc.)
- Validate totals (counts, sums)
- Test with different users (data visibility changes)
- Compare report vs actual database values
Common Bugs:
- Missing records in report
- Incorrect totals or calculations
- Wrong filters applied
- Dashboard showing outdated data
- Users seeing data they shouldn’t
- Reports not refreshing correctly
Pro Tips:
- Validate with real sample records not just report output.
- Check user visibility reports respect sharing rules