Most organisations are moving to automated software testing to optimise processes. If we compare manual testing, automated testing allows you to check much faster and more efficiently. Of course, it is impossible to switch to automation completely, but managing only manual testing is also not advisable.
Definition Of Automated Testing & The Importance Of Strategy
The automated method allows you to check the software without the direct participation of the tester. Automated validation requires specific tools to create and validate intended scenarios. Manual testing will require a lot of resources from specialists – time and human. Such verification significantly slows down the release of the developed software.
Creating an automated testing strategy ensures better results in the testing process. If you do not decide on a plan, then this will negatively affect the following aspects of development:
- The created software will be unprofitable;
- Loss of vision of the long-term goal of the product;
- Erroneous application of tools and technologies;
- Possible risks will not be analysed.
Therefore, you need to define a strategy to invest enormous financial costs in vain, and it’s too late to realise that this product will not be in demand.
Step-By-Step Strategy Building
Building an effective step-by-step test automation strategy is crucial for optimizing software quality and efficiency. In this brief article, we will explore the key components and considerations involved in creating a robust test automation plan, with a focus on leveraging automated software testing services to achieve reliable and scalable testing solutions.
Goal Definition
Before you start automated testing, you should decide on the goals of this test. It is necessary to draw up a detailed action plan and agree on it with the manager and stakeholders: the expected profitability, the amount of automation, and so on.
Schedule A Test List
There are varying degrees of testing, so it’s a good idea to make a test plan:
- Unit testing is the basis of verification, allowing the elimination of false failures in software and reducing regression;
- Integration testing (API validation) is a mid-level test but provides good results: business logic and components are tested;
- User interface testing – focus on visual testing: style, fonts, layouts, etc.;
- End-to-end testing – a targeted testing sector focused on the functionality and performance of the software;
- Cross-browser and cross-platform testing – ensure the software works smoothly with different browsers and operating systems.
Having a test plan will make navigating the course and sequence of testing easier.
Pick A Framework
After determining the value of development, you should decide on the structure. Different types of automated environments must be agreed upon with a team of specialists. Here are some examples:
- Linear automation allows you to fix the test and execute it;
- Data management platform – the ability to separate data and testing is provided;
- Keyword management platform – keywords are aligned with the actions that are carried out in the graphical interface;
- Page object model – an object repository is created to store the HTML elements for each web page, and then these objects are used to create test cases;
- A modular platform that allows dividing the test into several modules (functional set, feature set);
- The behavioural platform includes files with a functional set, and the verification principle is as follows: “provided if…. then”, the criteria are compared with the test cases, and the logical execution is determined.
These are the leading platforms, but there are also hybrid ones, which include various combinations of the capabilities of the above platforms.
Define Your Automation Environment
It would be best to know where the test data will be saved, where the automated check will be, where the report will be saved, and much more. In addition, it is necessary to know in what environment the created software will function.
Analyse Possible Risks
All possible risks associated with the tools and chosen strategy should be identified. All identified risks must be reported to the team leader, and measures should be taken to reduce the degree of these risks. Only start testing with foreseeable risks associated with automated testing.
Choose A Strategy For An Automated Testing Group
It is essential in planning to use automation testing including the distribution of responsibilities and the execution program: appoint a team leader, a liaison person, and a team of testers (the team may include specialized experts in different types of testing).
Knowing the distribution of roles in the group and the policy of actions in specific cases, their work will be optimised as much as possible.
Test Execution
The testing process begins based on the developed possible scenarios after deciding on the tools and technology. Decide where to check manually and where automatically. Make a list of relevance testing.
Compilation & Recording Of Test Reports
There are several reporting guidelines to understand test results better:
- Do not use technical points that will be incomprehensible to interested parties;
- Indicate the total number of inspections carried out: what passed the inspection and what did not;
- For clarity, use graphs and tables for quick and understandable reading;
- Establish a reporting program;
- Store reports in a designated location accessible to the group and stakeholders.
This approach will simplify the interaction between all project participants.
Test Analytics
You should regularly work through test cases and understand the cause of software failures. You also need to understand what factors influence the development of test scenarios. It is necessary to optimise and improve the efficiency of checks.
In The End
The effectiveness of automated testing in creating custom software will depend on the selected specialists and its real experience, the test strategy chosen as well as tools used. Also necessary is the cohesion of the team of testers and communication between them and developers, allowing timely responses to problems that have arisen.
