By using the platform with a simple test case, you can ensure that the systems work as expected, without needing to debug the host application, graph, or kernel interactions. A simple test can exercise a specific feature set of the platform, without the complexities of design. Xilinx provides a number of examples and tutorials for use as test cases, some of which can be found at the following locations:
A simple test can help to check whether the clock and reset, AXI4 interface settings, and interrupts are correct and functioning as expected.