This is the conclusive piece in the test automation tutorial series. This article encapsulates the most fruitful practices and strategies for performing test automation.
Even though previously mentioned articles touch on best practices (some may be reiterated here), I firmly believed it necessary to consolidate these few, yet the most vital best practices for automation into one article for quick reference.
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The strategies outlined in this tutorial are derived from my personal experience as well as from the insights of testing experts such as Michael Bolton, James Bach, and Cem Kaner. Implementation of these practices is crucial for every automation project.
Contents of this Tutorial:
- 10 Most Impactful Test Automation Techniques and Best Practices
- #1. Recruit a Specialized Automation Engineer or Team
- #2. An automation tool is vital, but it doesn’t solve all problems
- #3. Choose the automation tool that your resources are acquainted with
- #4. Comprehend the application undergoing testing
- #5. Superior Automation depends on well-crafted manual test cases
- #6. Recognize potential avenues for automation
- #7. Not every aspect can be automated
- #8. Sidestep GUI Automation when a substitute exists
- #9. Leverage Automation for additional beneficial uses
- #10. Automation is analogous to software development
- Conclusion
10 Most Impactful Test Automation Techniques and Best Practices
Without further delay…
#1. Recruit a Specialized Automation Engineer or Team
This step is fundamental. Do not delegate test automation duties to your manual testers. If you intend to involve them in test automation, then exempt them from manual testing assignments. Test automation necessitates full-time dedication. Therefore, specialized resources are required.
I would recommend assembling a test automation crew that’s led by a minimum of one automation architect. You could employ several automation engineers who would work under this test automation architect. The exact count of automation engineers would depend on your project’s quantity and magnitude.
#2. An automation tool is vital, but it doesn’t solve all problems
The process of tool selection has been covered. However, only obtaining the right tool is just the beginning. There is a mistaken notion among some managers that a fitting tool will make automation a breeze. Be wary, as automation tools cannot offer all solutions. They streamline the process, but proficient resources are paramount to accomplish it.
Frequently, automation tools encounter predicaments like challenges in recognizing intricate objects within the application. Competent resources have the ability to devise solutions to surmount these obstacles. Absence of adept resources implies that the tool by itself cannot guarantee successful automation.
#3. Choose the automation tool that your resources are acquainted with
If your team is proficient in C# and your application is also coded in C#, it would be futile to opt for a tool that doesn’t support writing scripts in C#.
Learning a new language is time-consuming. Opt for a tool with a minimal learning curve to save precious time.
#4. Comprehend the application undergoing testing
The choice of tool is significantly influenced by the technologies used in your product. Acquaint yourself with your product completely before commencing automation.
If it’s a web application, know the compatible browsers and the technologies deployed. In case it’s a desktop application, understand the underlying programming language and the third-party controls utilized. This familiarity will aid in selecting the suitable tool and expedite future automation.
#5. Superior Automation depends on well-crafted manual test cases
Efficiently crafted and comprehensive manual test cases inhibit the automation of defective test cases that fail to efficiently detect flaws.
Here’s a thought-provoking quote from the book “Lessons Learned in Software Testing”:
“Automating without proper test design can result in a flurry of activities, but minimal value.”
It is wise to initially formulate the test case manually. Identify prerequisites and test data. Clearly enumerate the steps involved and specify the expected outcomes. Each test case should have a definitive objective and should not rely excessively on other test cases. Automation engineers should manually execute this test case at least once to identify the elements and understand the navigation flow. Engage in discussions with the manual testers and seek their inputs.
Undertaking this activity sometimes aids in identifying bugs even before the automation script is written. Experts assert that the majority of bugs are uncovered during the test automation development phase rather than during the actual execution phase.
#6. Recognize potential avenues for automation
If you’re designated with the task of automating a manual test case, don’t simply automate it as is. Instead, probe further for automation opportunities to broaden the scope of that test case.
For instance, if the manual test case entails logging into a web page, you can augment it by making it data-driven. Consolidate all feasible login scenarios like invalid passwords, empty passwords, invalid usernames, invalid emails, empty usernames, remember me checked or unchecked, and so on. Document the scenarios along with their expected results in an Excel file and use this file as a data source for your test case. Post automation, this single test case can examine all probable scenarios in a single run.
Be vigilant towards opportunities that could be automated but pose challenges for manual execution. These usually comprise load testing scenarios, performance benchmarks, running identical tests in diverse environments with differing configurations, recognizing memory leaks, and executing high precision tests. Manual testers often find these scenarios challenging.
#7. Not every aspect can be automated
Automation constitutes executing fewer tests more frequently. Begin modestly by automating your smoke tests. Then cover your build acceptance tests. Subsequently, automate your routinely executed tests, and then your time-intensive tests. However, assure that every automated test frees up time for manual testers to focus on more critical tasks.
Automation is not intended to replace manual testers and it cannot achieve that. It serves to relieve manual testers of monotony so they can concentrate on unearthing new testing scenarios and bugs. (Refer to my article “Misconceptions of test automation”)
Automate a selective number of tests that are deemed valuable, time-saving, or daunting for manual testers. Accomplishing this implies successful automation.
#8. Sidestep GUI Automation when a substitute exists
GUI automation is generally more difficult in comparison to other types of automated tests. If there’s an option to achieve your objective without resorting to automating the GUI, such as utilizing command-line inputs or other methods, it’s ideal to not use GUI automation.
For instance, while testing application installation, rather than repeatedly clicking the “Next” button using an automation tool, consider utilizing a batch file with silent arguments to initiate a GUI-less installation process. This method is quicker, more trustworthy, and less susceptible to UI modifications.
#9. Leverage Automation for additional beneficial uses
Automation is versatile and can be used to accomplish tasks extending beyond the automation of manual test cases.
For instance, automation can be employed to automatically produce master data and configure settings for manual testers, thereby enabling them to commence testing as soon as possible.
Let me give you an example from my personal experience: We intended to transition from our test case management tool, “Test Director” (currently HP ALM), to TFS (Team Foundation Server). We had approximately 4000 manual test cases and bugs documented in Test Director, and manually migrating them to TFS would have taken an entire month. Consequently, my manager asked me to explore automation possibilities.
After researching both tools, I learned that Test Director used SQL Server for its repository. For TFS, I discovered a tool capable of reading test cases and bugs from an Excel file, provided they were correctly formatted, and importing them into TFS. The remainder was straightforward. I wrote an SQL query to fetch all test cases and bugs, exported them to an Excel file in the required format, and used the tool to import them into TFS. The entire process was accomplished in merely 3 hours. My manager was delighted with the outcome. I hope this anecdote helps you realize the potential of automation as well.
#10. Automation is analogous to software development
To build top-notch software, adherence to best practices is critical. Code reviews, compliance to frameworks or design patterns, as well as regular maintenance are requisites for premium software development.
Automation, in essence, is software development. Therefore, all the best practices followed in software development must be implemented in automation as well. Establish an automation framework. Conduct code reviews. Report automation bugs in the bug depository. Save automation source code in a version control system, and so on. The more you align automation with software development, the more fruitful it will be.
Conclusion
This marks the end of both this article and the test automation tutorial series. While drafting these guides, I gained numerous valuable insights, and I hope you learned something noteworthy from reading them. Test automation is a captivating and rewarding field. When done right, it brings benefits to both individuals and organizations.
Every day, as I delve into test automation and its techniques, I come across new and stimulating challenges to solve. This series aimed to shine a light on what you may come across on your test automation journey. I hope I have successfully conveyed this information in a simple, understandable manner.
As always, I eagerly await your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to share your feedback in the comments section. I am here to assist you, if required. Thank you for your time.