Lately, we’ve been inundated with numerous queries regarding when and how to automate the testing process. Rather than addressing them one by one, we chose to carry out a broader discussion here.
This guide will demystify the questions of when, how and if we should automate our testing activities?
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Initiating a profound discussion on such a broad subject allows us to gain extensive insights and tips from experts with diverse backgrounds and their experience in Automation Testing.
What you’ll Gain:
Recommendations Before Automating Your Testing Activities
Why Automation Testing?
#1) You’ve got new updates and bug rectifications in an operational module. The challenge lies in confirming that the new bug fixes haven’t introduced any fresh bugs in the formerly working operation. Therefore, you also have to test the previous functionality.
Would you manually inspect all the module performance every time you have some bug solutions or new functionality added? You could do it manually, but it won’t be an effective testing. Efficient in terms of organizational cost, resources, time, etc.
This is where Automation comes to the rescue.
– Consider automating your testing activities if you encounter a significant amount of regression work.
#2) When testing a web application, you might be dealing with thousands of users interacting simultaneously.
How are you to test such a web application? How can you manually generate these many simultaneous users? Without a doubt, a daunting task if carried out manually.
– Automate your load testing to generate virtual users, allowing you to inspect the load handling of your application.
#3) Suppose you’re testing a solution where the code changes frequently. The GUI remains largely unchanged, but there are more functional shifts, thereby increasing the need for testing.
– Consider automation when your GUI is stable, but frequent functional updates are expected.
What are the Potential Hazards of Automation Testing?
There are some particular scenarios where you might contemplate automating your testing activities. Here we cover some risks associated with Automation Testing. If you’re leaning towards automation, please first review these situations.
#1) Do you have competent resources?
For automation to be effective, you require individuals with certain programming abilities.
Reflect on your resources. Are they equipped with sufficient programming knowledge for automation testing?
If not, do they possess technical skills or programming backgrounds that would allow them to swiftly adapt to new technologies? Are you willing to invest in developing a robust automation team? If your response is affirmative, then and only then, consider automating your activities.
#2) Initial cost of Automation is considerable
It’s a popular notion that Manual Testing comes with substantial costs, mainly due to hiring skilled manual testers. Is automation the solution to this? Think again.
The upfront cost associated with automation, which includes purchasing automation tools, training and script maintenance, is significant.
Regrets over the decision to automate are common among many dissatisfied customers. If you’re spending substantial sums for some neat testing tools and basic automation scripts, what’s the point of automation?
#3) Avoid automating your User Interface if it’s unstable
Automating a frequently-changing user interface can entail considerable script maintenance costs. As a result, basic UI automation is generally sufficient in such instances.
#4) Is your solution stable enough to support further automated tests?
Automating tests too early in the development cycle (unless it’s an Agile context) can be misguided. The script maintenance costs for such a scenario would be prohibitive.
#5) Thinking of achieving 100% Automation?
Reassess this. It’s impossible to entirely automate your testing activities. In the domains of performance testing, regression testing and load/stress testing, you may come close to 100% automation.
However, there are aspects like User Interface, documentation, installation, compatibility and recovery, where testing must be performed manually.
#6) Refrain from automating tests that run only once
Determine those application areas and test cases that are executed once and aren’t included in the regression. It’s advisable to refrain from their automation.
#7) Does your automation suite have a significant lifespan?
Every automation script package must live long enough to ensure that the cost of development is less than the cost of manual implementation. Calculating the cost-effectiveness of each automation script suite is somewhat tricky.
Roughly, your automation suite should be used or executed at least 15 to 20 times for different builds (a generic assumption depending on the complexity of the specific application) to ensure a healthy Return on Investment (ROI).
Summary
Automation testing is a reliable tool that often efficiently achieves most testing objectives, optimally utilizing resources and time. However, you must be cautious when selecting an automation tool. Make sure that you have skilled personnel prior to automating your testing activities. Otherwise, your tool may remain unused, bringing no ROI.
Providing pricey automation equipment to uncertified personnel can lead to dissatisfaction. Be certain that your chosen tool matches your requirements appropriately before purchasing it. You’ll never find a tool that’s a 100% fit.
Identify the limitations of the tool that most closely matches your needs, and supplement it with manual testing techniques to overcome those disadvantages. An open-source tool might be a good place to start with automation. For more information about selecting automation tools, see our previous posts here and here.
Neither should you rely solely on manual nor entirely on automated testing. Instead, employ the optimal blend of both Manual and Automation Testing. This is the most effective remedy for any task. An automation suite can’t find all bugs and isn’t a replacement for actual testers. Spontaneous testing remains relevant in numerous cases.
We’re interested in learning about your experience with Automation Testing. Your practical knowledge is always beneficial to our audience.