{"id":14576,"date":"2025-08-04T15:28:49","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T15:28:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.anamata.nl\/?p=14576"},"modified":"2025-11-21T15:00:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T15:00:21","slug":"testing-in-mendix-common-pitfalls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.anamata.eu\/nl\/14576\/","title":{"rendered":"Testing in Mendix: common pitfalls"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Why it often goes wrong \u2013 and how to fix it<\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Intro<\/strong><\/h5><\/div><\/div>

In many Mendix projects, testing is structurally undervalued. That\u2019s surprising, especially in a low-code platform like Mendix, where speed and flexibility are key. To deliver sustainable quality at this pace, testing should be a top priority. Yet at Anamata, we often see that testing is introduced late in the development cycle, or not at all.

The result? Delayed go-lives, issues in production, and frustration among both users and development teams. In this blog, we\u2019ll share the five most common causes we encounter at Anamata and offer practical steps to improve testing in Mendix projects.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Problem 1: Out of Sight, Out of Mind \u2013 testing is seen as \u2018optional\u2019<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h5><\/div><\/div>

Many clients simply aren\u2019t aware of how important testing is in a Mendix project. They don\u2019t have a clear view of the risks of not testing properly or of the capabilities that exist within the Mendix ecosystem.
As a result, we often see testing treated as “optional”, when in fact it should be a core part of any professional development process. Without awareness, testing remains an afterthought, both in the budget and the project plan.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Problem 2: Testing is postponed \u2013 until it\u2019s too late<\/strong><\/h5><\/div><\/div>

Even when awareness exists, many teams still postpone testing. The focus is on building and delivering, with testing only addressed right before release. By that time, budgets are often depleted, scope has expanded, and there\u2019s simply no room for reliable, high-quality testing.
At Anamata, we see this \u201ctest-at-the-end\u201d trap all too often, leading to time pressure, technical debt, and quality issues in production.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Problem 3: Apps are not built with testability in mind<\/strong><\/h5><\/div><\/div>

One of the core issues we frequently encounter is that Mendix apps are built without considering testability. Business logic is embedded in UI widgets, nanoflows, or tightly coupled microflows. This makes automated testing and reuse nearly impossible.
Without a testable architecture, setting up unit or integration tests becomes much harder than it needs to be. That\u2019s a missed opportunity \u2014 with a few smart design choices early on, most of these issues can be avoided.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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At Anamata, we see this \u201ctest-at-the-end\u201d trap all too often, leading to time pressure, technical debt, and quality issues in production.<\/span><\/div><\/blockquote><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Problem 4: Test data \u2013 messy, outdated, or unreliable<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h5><\/div><\/div>

Testing depends on data. Still, many teams struggle to set up and manage realistic, consistent test data. We often see polluted test environments or testers accidentally interfering with each other\u2019s data.
Without reliable data, you get false positives, inconsistent results, and a lot of wasted time.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Problem 5: Limited knowledge of tools and test principles<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h5><\/div><\/div>

In many Mendix projects, testing is done by business users or fellow developers. While that can add value, it becomes risky if there\u2019s no dedicated testing expertise involved. Testing seems<\/em> simple, but truly effective, structured testing is a discipline of its own. It\u2019s not just \u201cclicking through an app\u201d, but it requires a sound test strategy: what are you testing, how deep do you go, and where do you focus?
Many business developers also have limited experience with external testing tools. As a result, most testing is done manually, without proper integration into CI\/CD pipelines or API testing processes.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Does<\/em> Work? Five practical steps toward mature testing in Mendix<\/strong><\/h5><\/div><\/div>

Fortunately, there\u2019s a lot you can<\/em> do. Based on our experience at Anamata, here are five steps to help you structurally improve testing in Mendix projects:

1. Start With a Test Strategy<\/strong>
Create a test pyramid tailored to Mendix. Focus on unit tests for logic, API tests for integrations, and UI tests only for core flows.
2. Use the Mendix Unit Testing Module<\/strong>
Start small. Begin with microflows that have clear input\/output and are reusable. Automate logic wherever possible. You might also consider exploring testing platforms like Menditect, which are specifically designed to support automated testing in Mendix.
3. Design for Testability<\/strong>
Keep logic out of the UI. Design microflows to be modular and reusable. Always ask yourself: \u201cCan I create an automated unit test for this?\u201d<\/em>
4. Actively Manage Test Data<\/strong>
Make test data management part of your strategy. Use init scripts, test objects, and data cleaners to ensure reliable and repeatable tests.
5. Invest in Test Knowledge<\/strong>
Train your team in test fundamentals. Low-code doesn\u2019t mean no-code, and definitely not no-test. Make testing an integral part of your development culture.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n