The term automation testing is complicated for a newcomer. Questions like what is automation testing, what are the benefits of automation testing or how to execute automation testing might throw an uninitiated person into confusion. In this guide, we provide you with the information you need to know about testing and everything it entails.
Automation Testing definition:
Automated testing is the use of automated tools to carry out your test case suite. Unlike manual testing, which requires a human’s presence, automation testing relies on the use of software to run a sequence test script, compare outcomes with results, and generate test reports.
Automated testing is vital to keeping up with the demands for fast but high-quality software projects. It plays a significant role in creating software by enhancing result efficiency, improving bug detection and fix, and many more. One of the many benefits of automated testing is that it is well-suited for projects that have gone through the initial testing and projects that require repeated execution of the same test.
Why automation testing?
There are many reasons why teams and the test community should adopt automation testing. Chiefly among these reasons are:
Automation testing saves time and effort: The number one benefit of automation testing is that it allows automatic repetition of the same tests. Running tests like regression tests manually will consume time and effort as they need to be executed repeatedly to ensure quality. Using automated software testing, these tests can be performed regularly without additional effort or cost. Another time and cost-effective benefit of automation testing are that it reduces the time spent running a test by hours.
Read more: What is regression testing?
The versatility of testing: Automation testing is well-suited for test cases that run on multiple hardware, software, and configurations. It can run through every internal program in an application from the memory contents to data tables to analyze if the product is working as expected.
Minimal human intervention: Failure often occurs during manual testing as even the most careful tester is prone to mistakes. Automation testing allows minimal human intervention, which reduces the risk of failure. With automation, a test can be executed overnight without the need for human supervision or checkup.
Improved team morale: The monotonous steps of manual testing increase the likelihood of mistakes and lowers the QA and Dev team morale. With the use of automated tools, testers will be free to face more engaging projects and feel more confident in their work outcome.
When to opt for automation testing?
Starting the automation process requires much mental work. There are factors to consider before opting for automation testing. Time, risk, and test difficulty are some of the criteria to consider before choosing automation testing.
- Repeated test cases: When a test requires continually checking to detect defects or bugs without going through multiple phases of reassurance, automation tests are needed. It will help save the team from going through the tasks manually. That way, the team will have more room to start new projects or upgrade features.
- High risk or business-critical test cases: Some test cases are vital to product releases and business decisions. In cases like this, the tests done should be automated to reduce the risk of bugs or a human error affecting the final product.
- Difficult test cases: Test cases that require much physical effort should be automated. Automation testing can handle even the most challenging task on time, allowing the team to avoid the endless data entries that they usually do manually.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Automation Testing
There are four steps to starting automation testing from scratch. These are:
- Define the scope of automation
- Choose the right tool,
- Plan, design, and Develop
- Execute test cases
Defining the Scope of Automation
The scope of automation in the area of the software in which the test is being carried out. It can be determined by;
- How fast does this team want the test done, and how much coverage do they seek to achieve?
- What are the features most important in the test case being executed?
- How complicated is the test case?
- What are the functionalities of the software application?
- Ability to use the same test across multiple devices and platforms
- Technical feasibility
Selecting a Testing Tool
Selecting a testing tool solely depends on the technology the application under test is built on. The primary attributes to consider when choosing a testing tool are;
- Identify the project requirement: First, identify the project requirements. Understand the depth and scope of the tests by recognizing the project type (e.g., web, desktop, or mobile application) and scope (e.g., repeatability, user simulation) Taking these considerations into account when choosing an automation tool will help you get you a better ROI.
- The team’s expertise: Automation testing requires a certain amount of technical skill. Your testers must be skilled enough to use the tool you choose. Access the team’s testing strengths and weaknesses before choosing any automation tools.
- Evaluate tools and vendors: The selected testing tool should be easy to adapt to by testers. To get the perfect automation tool for the team, you should:
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- Check out the top automation tools in the market.
- Create a shortlist of them
- Evaluate their quality by taking up a trial offer
- Consider the budget & ROI: Automation testing gives a better ROI when chosen rightly. Benefits such as productivity or speed should be compared with the cost before choosing a testing tool.
To find out more about how to select the right tool for your project, explore how to select the right tool for your team.
Planning, Designing, and Development
This phase deals with creating the automation testing strategy, planning, and how it will be developed. It can include;
- Selecting the right automation tool
- Developing logical test cases and suites
- Framework design and its features
- Schedule and timeline of test scripting and execution
- In-scope and Out-of-scope items of automation
- Deliverables of automation testing
Executing Test Cases
This phase deals with the execution of automation testing scripts, such scripts run with the help of the input test data. Once executed, the detailed test report is obtained; this detects the bugs or errors for earlier fixes and smooth running of such tests.
Test Execution can be performed using the automation testing tool directly or using the management tool, which will invoke the automation tool.
Conclusion
Automation testing is the best way to fulfill most of the testing goals with practical resources and time. But be careful before choosing the types of automation tools that fulfill the application requirement because no one can fulfill the 100% requirement.
Reference: Automation Testing 101
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