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A test engineer faces a series of considerations (decisions) when designing a test program to conduct service history simulation testing of full scale vehicles (structures) in the laboratory. This paper proposes a logical decision path, with pertinent discussion of tradeoffs, which is intended to serve as a design guide in this process. A good deal of the authors’ subjective opinion is included. The paper begins by presenting a model of how a test facility should interface to the total engineering process. This is important in establishing a proper division of responsibility for the validity and usefulness of test results. This is followed by a specific discussion of service history simulation testing for durability evaluation.