A method for testing a software component implemented in a host system on the basis of one or more test campaigns, a test campaign includes computer test cases and being associated with input test data. The method comprises the steps of: executing the computer test cases of each test campaign for an operating time of the software component, which provides output test data associated with each test campaign; determining a reference operating model and a data partition on the basis of the input and output test data associated with each test campaign; running the software component using input production run data, which provides output production run data; determining an operating characteristic of the software component on the basis of the reference operating models according to a comparison between the input and output production run data and the data from the data partitions associated with the one or more test campaigns.