A data processing system, method, and program including an automated software
test
environment are disclosed for automatically testing a software application. A work
flow manager is established for automatically managing the automated software test
environment. The automated software test environment includes multiple computer
systems coupled to a server computer system utilizing a network. The work flow
manager is executed utilizing the server computer system. Multiple ordered test
phases are established. At least each of two of the order test phases are executed
utilizing different ones of the computer systems. An event is transmitted to the
work flow manager utilizing one of the computer systems to start execution of selected
ones of the ordered test phases. The work flow manager controls execution of the
selected ordered test phases in response to the receipt of events.