Introduction
Test automation has several benefits that drive higher ROI with the use of less resources. But there are many factors that contribute to making test automation productive for you.
To get most out of test automation, you need to create a powerful test automation strategy that drives desired results. You can create such a test automation strategy by following a step by step procedure.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through 5 steps that can help you develop a results-driven test automation strategy.
Let’s begin with the first step
1. Defining Test Automation Goals
A few years back, people didn’t show much interest or attention towards test automation. And this was due to the challenges test automation had at that time. If you see test automation today, you don’t have as many challenges as before. But it would be wrong to say test automation is free of challenges today. However, we can surely say that it has significantly changed over the years. Here, one main reason is that we have more reliable automated testing tools today than ever.
Even though test automation makes software testing easier, you still cannot automate everything. In that case, you have to smartly decide what test to automate. Therefore, the first step is to identify and define your goals and then finalize what tests to automate.
Test automation is a complex job to do hence requiring proper planning before you begin. If you want to know what tests to automate, the answer is simple. The tests that need to run again and again are the ones that must be automated first. In that way, you can save your time and increase the efficiency of software testing.
After meticulously planning test automation, you have to plan your test approach.
2. Plan Your Test Automation Approach
If we talk about what commonly prevails in organizations while adopting a test automation approach, they take influence from the existing testing approaches. Well, that’s not a wrong approach to follow but you should also consider other factors. It requires envisioning the test automation and how the team collaborates to execute that test QA automation approach. Also, you need to determine the automated software testing level, responsibilities, and roles of team members.
All this comes later, but the main thing is to select the test approach that can offer the greatest value. Also, you can use different testing approaches for different testing levels. Here are some very common and the most effective test automation approaches.
- Unit Testing
- Component Testing
- Integration/API Testing
- End-to-End Testing
- Regression Testing
- Smoke Testing
- Cross-browser Testing
3. Selecting Framework for Test Automation
The next step is to select the most suitable framework for your test automation. While you perform tests, there can be chances of errors. For that, you need detailed guidelines to follow during the entire process of automation testing. That set of detailed guidelines for test QA automation is called the test automation framework. It includes guidelines about critical aspects of automation testing like procedures, coding standards, reporting, etc.
Below you will find the list of 6 test automation framework:
Linear Scripting- Record & Playback
It enables automated software testers to play it back for the rest of the process. It also offers to record the steps in sequence such as processes like inputs, navigation, and more.
Library Architecture
This framework identifies the tasks that have some commonality and divides them into groups. As it is named a library, it means it saves similar functions and uses from the library when needed.
Modular Based Framework
Modular based framework functions by dividing the entire application into independent modules. Then it conducts isolated testing for each module. Also for each module, it creates a separate test automating script that is put together later as merged tests.
Data-driven Framework
It functions without hardcoding the data and allows the integration with Excel, CSV, and other external files. Automated software testers can easily use different sets of data by testing the same feature.
Keyword-driven Framework
It helps to test the GUI of an application by storing the keywords externally. It follows a certain set of instructions for seamless automation testing.
Hybrid Testing Framework
As the name suggests, it’s a combination of different automation testing frameworks. It’s better than previous frameworks as it deals with their loopholes and enhances the benefits of automation. Another good thing is that it offers greater flexibility for different applications.
4. Select Your Tool
As software automation testing functions mainly on the automated software testing tools, selecting the right tools is extremely important.
- Firstly, you have to look at the application’s technology and its test requirements. Also, you have to check the compatibility of your chosen automation testing tool with the tech stack of the AUT.
- Secondly, you need to check if your chosen tool is easy to use and supports the platform.
- The third step is to look for the popularity of the tool. Check on different forums how many people are using it.
- The fourth thing to look for is the licensing cost. Check if the cost of your selected tool actually fulfills your software automation testing requirements.
5. Create and Run the Tests
Once you’ve done all the above discussed steps, now is the time to create and run the tests. When you write test cases, make sure you follow the best practices. Here we’re going to discuss some very important practices to effectively write test cases.
- You should write test cases in a way that they can easily be used again and again.
- The one who writes the test cases must write them in a way that it becomes easily understandable by everyone.
- Always prioritize each test case depending on the priority, features, and components.
Wrapping Up
A wrong test automation strategy can result in failing in automated testing. As a result, either you deploy a poorly developed application or fail in developing it at all. But it doesn’t mean you can never develop a high performing application using software automation testing All you need to do is to strategize smartly.
In this blog post, you’ve learned 5 steps that can help you develop a results-driven test automation strategy.
These 5 steps are:
- Defining Test Automation Goals
- Plan Your Test Automation Approach
- Selecting Framework for Test Automation
- Select your tool
- Create and run the tests
And as always, you’re welcome to share your thoughts with us in the comments.