6 Steps to Success in Test Automation

 Test automation is very widely used by companies due to the many benefits it offers. From better test path coverage to repetitive and exhaustive testing, it overcomes human errors that are caused by tiredness or negligence. But along with so many advantages, it also poses many problems. You have an automation solution for almost every situation but managers often find it very daunting to locate the right one and implement it in the best way. Let's have a look at 6 steps to achieve success in test automation. These steps are easy but are often ignored, leading to failure.

Know more about Automation Testing

Understanding and commitment


First, the team needs to understand that automation is essential and everyone should be committed to the cause. The testers should realize that automation testing is assisted by computer and is not a fully automated process. So the testers' involvement in test data generation, report analysis, installation, script creation and result analysis remains vital.


Dedicated team


There should be a dedicated group of automation testers that are exclusively assigned to look into test automation. Automation program should not be treated as a part time work and the onus lies with the managers to propagate this feeling.


Goal of automation


You must be clear about the exact goal of using test automation for your project. It can be increasing the test coverage, reducing the time for test execution, removing the chances of destabilization or touching some other aspects of testing like API testing. The focus of the automation program must be clarified and the entire strategy must pan out accordingly.


Sticking to coding guidelines


Automation testers must know that automation is very similar to that of development and hence the entire scripting should be in adherence to coding guidelines. Data driven approach should be followed to allow unlimited testing by just changing the data. Concepts like reusability and data independence should be followed.


Choosing the right tool


The success of test automation greatly depends on the right choice of automation tool. You must consider factors like purpose, efficiency, usability, kind of product and cost. There are many specific tools for different types of testing like Win runner and Silk Test for GUI testing, nunit and junit for unit testing. You can even find open source tools like Selenium that can be manipulated and customized as per the requirement.


Identifying the right tests


Since all the test cases cannot be automated, the emphasis should be on automating those test cases that are high on priority or that have high chances of failure. The high activity application paths like invoice generation, order placement, integration points between two components or applications, critically important processes and the areas that need repetitive testing are perfect cases for automation.


These steps are meant to guide you in your quest for success in test automation. Proceed with an open mind and be receptive to ideas. Develop a strategy with smaller goals in mind and grow strength by strength.


Read Also:

Smoke Testing

Codeless Automation Testing

Security Testing

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tips for Automating Software Testing

 In order to accomplish testing goals, the automation of testing software through tools such as Connect Wise, Open-nix and Advanced ETL Processor Enterprise is the best approach. Testing is one of the most important functions in any software development lifecycle because obviously the presence of any bugs or defects will interrupt the functioning of the system. This, in turn, could result in a domino effect that leads to further defects. Hence, the importance of testing is widely accepted in all companies. Know more about Automation Testing Manual testing is not a practical choice when you have multiple systems functioning at the same time. The identification of defects becomes difficult in such situations. Every time a new bug is corrected, another arises. Automation is extremely helpful in such situations and as such can have a positive impact on company profit and time management. It simply makes testing more efficient and effective. The value of the automation tool that you wil...
Read more

Automated Website Testing

 You just finished building your company's website. You have tested it yourself and had other company employees test it. The website now goes live. A few weeks later you start getting emails from irate customers who complain that they are unable to place their orders because certain steps in the "Buy Now" process give errors. You quickly fix the problem. A few days later you get complaints about some other issue and you again react quickly to fix the website. This continues for a few months till the complaints finally halt and things stabilize. Know more about Automation Testing At this point you make some enhancements to your website. A few days later a customer email alerts you to the fact that in the process of making this enhancement you "broke" something else on the website. Again you spend time to find and fix the problem but by now you are perplexed and not a little frustrated. These issues have cost you many customers in the last few months and potential...
Read more