Conduct discussion with PRT SMEs regarding `vets-api` test consistency

[pjhill]

Description

In order to get a better understanding of the current vets-api local vs. CI testing experience, we will conduct a discussion with back-end engineers working with the Platform Reliability Team. Discussion should include deficiencies in local testing of vets-api, desired features in the local testing environment, key discrepancies between test execution locally vs. in the CI pipeline, and pitfalls associated with vets-api testing.

Tasks

• [x] Recruit PRT team members for discussion
• [x] Conduct a research meeting with team members
• [x] Record and synthesize research notes

Acceptance Criteria

• [x] Platform Reliability Team backend subject matter experts' research notes have been recorded in Confluence
• [x] Research analysis and synthesiis is available in Confluence

[IGallupSoCo]

On a semi-related note, Ben noted that the Platform has the resources to provide users like me (who run into frustrating hardware limitations) with a virtual machine that would have far more processing power available to perform "local" testing.

I suspect that this thread could be worth pursuing within this epic's efforts.

[IGallupSoCo]

There are gems like TestProf that would have the potential to further streamline local testing. GitLab reportedly reduced their API test timeline by 39%. Ryan has a ticket in the backlog to explore such solutions.

[IGallupSoCo]

My discovery and research notes can be found here.