I have been working on my ServiceDesk Plus Helpdesk since July. We are happy with where it is, however we all know that updates will still need to be implemented. I would like to do a monthly update. 

What is the best way to test the updates that are required without implementing them and then publish them similarly to a patch?

I am not a server admin. Although I do have admin over our Helpdesk, our IT department has total control of the server and a stand alone test server environment is not an option. I am more of a "click through" admin, sadly.