Automated Regression Testing: Challenges, Process And Steps

This guide elucidates the hurdles faced in Automated Regression Testing. It also covers the methodology and steps to automate Regression Testing:

We will delve into how to automate regression test instances starting from identifying them, picking a tool for automation, conducting cost, time & effort assessment, scripting, and finally delivering it to the manual test team so they can execute the test instances anytime, anywhere.

If you’re curious as to why prioritizing the regression test suite, it’s because the regression test suite is the optimal candidate for automation due to its repetitive and time-consuming nature. Therefore, automation can save you a significant amount of resources and also reduce the time taken.

You’ll receive quick reports on the regression test instances, and these steps can also be used to automate other test suites.

=> Proceed Here For The Entire Regression Testing Series

Automated Regression Testing

A while back when I had to start my fresh Automated Testing Project with four resources, I wondered about using at least one of the Agile methodologies. However, I found it difficult to move forward due to a series of questions surfacing in my mind.

The questions were along the lines of: 

• Is utilizing Agile methodologies in Automated Testing a feasible approach?
• Can I employ conventional tools?
• Should I opt for open-source tools?
• What are the likely hurdles I may encounter if I execute automation in an Agile Environment?

This guide dissects some of the hurdles associated with implementing Automation with Agile methodologies. Automated Regression Testing within an Agile framework is at risk of becoming chaotic, unstructured, and ungovernable.

Agile Projects bring forth their unique hurdles for the Automation team. Agile methodology advocates team cooperation and frequent product delivery.

Elements like ambiguous project scope, numerous iterations, scant documentation, early and frequent Automation necessities, active stakeholder participation, among others, pose several challenges for the Automation Team.

Automated Testing: Challenges in an Agile Environment

There are multiple Agile challenges for the Automation team.

A brief of several challenges is outlined below.

Challenge 1: Requirement Phase

The Test Automation developer captures the stipulations in the form of “user stories”, which are brief accounts of customer-relevant functionalities.

Each stipulation ought to be prioritized as follows:

High: These are project-essential requirements that absolutely have to be executed in the inaugural release.
Medium: These are the stipulations that are crucial, albeit they can be maneuvered around until implemented.
Low: These are great-to-have but inessential to the software’s operation.

Once priorities are assigned, the release “iterations” are scheduled. Generally, every Agile release iteration requires 1 to 3 months for delivery. Customer/software personnel are at liberty to make extensive modifications to the stipulations.

Occasionally, these modifications are so erratic that iterations are discarded. Such modifications pose the major challenges in implementing the Agile Automation testing process.

Challenge 2: Choosing the Apt Tools

Conventional, test-last tools with record-and-playback-features compel teams to wait until the post-software completion phase. Moreover, conventional test automation tools aren’t ideal for an Agile context since they solve conventional issues that are distinct from the issues encountered by Agile Automation teams.

Automation in the preliminary stages of an agile project is typically tough, yet as the system expands and evolves, some aspects settle thus rendering it acceptable to deploy automation. Therefore, selecting testing tools is crucial to reaping the efficiency and quality benefits of agile practices.

<

h3><span id=”Challenge_3_Script_Development_Phase