Define the state model before connecting
Start with the order events the connected systems actually support. Record identifiers, timestamps, quantity units, permitted order actions and how partial or rejected instructions are represented. Agree which system is authoritative for the trading record and how discrepancies reach an operator.
The broker and its counterparties determine the execution arrangement. The technical project should record that arrangement precisely; connectivity alone does not establish liquidity terms or guarantee execution quality.
Build a traceable test pack
| Test case | Evidence to collect | Review question |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted instruction | Linked platform, routing and provider identifiers | Can an operator trace the complete lifecycle? |
| Rejected or expired instruction | Reason, final state and user-facing response | Do all connected records agree? |
| Interrupted connection | Outstanding-state report and recovery record | Can the team identify unresolved instructions without resending blindly? |
Include amended and cancelled instructions only where supported by the agreed interfaces. Use a non-production environment and approved test accounts; test quantities and market conditions belong in the signed test plan.
Reconcile the result before handover
Review the platform record against the routing and provider records using a shared time window. A successful network connection does not show that units, symbol mapping, fees or final states agree. Keep a discrepancy queue with an owner and a documented escalation route.
Illustrative review: a test instruction is rejected after a connection interruption. The acceptance question is whether its final state is consistently recorded, not whether reconnecting makes the warning disappear. The proposed handover contains the event trace, the reconciliation procedure and the operating contacts.
Bring the platform arrangement, available interfaces and required routing workflows to the technical review. They determine the work that can be scoped.