Software testing plays a critical role in ensuring quality, performance and security of software. Automation testing is the process through which Quality Assurance Engineers (QAs) test software through automated software testing tools or bots. Automation adds value to QA testing because it provides greater and more accurate testing coverage during the test cycle. This allows QAs to carry out quick and efficient testing and avoid getting swamped up in complex and time-consuming test cases and tedious task repetitions.
In order to take maximum benefit of automation testing, the QA must assess the need for automation in the project. Here are some reasons why QA teams require automation testing in their QA practices:
In order to take maximum benefit of automation testing, the QA must assess the need for automation in the project. Here are some reasons why QA teams require automation testing in their QA practices:
- 1. There are repetitive tasks in each development cycle
- 2. There are frequent regression testing cycles
- 3. There is a need to simulate multiple user scenarios within the project
- 4. There is a large set of Build Verification Testing cases
- 5. There is unfeasibility to perform manual testing for critical functionality
The role of the test automation tool is important: it validates the quality of software and produces reliable, repeatable results at any point. However, it is mandatory to take the right decision when selecting an automation tool. There are several categories of tools that QAs can choose from according to their specific needs. These include Open-Source Tools, Commercial Tools and Custom Tools. 1. Open-Source Tools
Open-source tools provide free platforms to access and use source-code that can easily be modified. They are developed by the community and are popular due to their free accessibility. However, they contain fewer features as compared to commercial tools.
2. Commercial Automation Testing Tools
As the name suggests, commercial tools are specifically designed for commercial purposes. They require users to purchase a paid licenses but also provide a greater range of features, along with technical support. Some of the best commercial automation testing tools include UFTOne, TestCafe Studio and Browserstack.
3. Integrating Multiple Libraries / Plugins to Build Custom Framework
For some niche projects, open-source software or commercial testing tools cannot fulfil the requirements. Such projects require the custom development of a testing tool. However, these are rarely used as they require technical experts for deployment.
Selection Criteria
Choosing the right automation testing setup is as crucial as selecting the right tech stack for developing the application. There are multiple factors to be considered when selecting an automation tool. However, some factors might need to be compromised in order to achieve the desired requirement. For example, reusability and maintainability can be achieved using a complex design pattern, but execution time may be compromised. So, the testing team needs to assess the project requirements and select the testing tool accordingly. Following is a list of some factors to consider:
A. Analyze Your Project Needs
Choosing the right tool for automation depends on the particular testing requirements for that project. For example, it is important to identify exactly what features or technology stack need to be tested, what areas of testing exist, what test cases can be automated, what is the expertise of the team available for testing etc. Type of automation is the first level of identification e.g determining whether the project requires Application Programming Interface (API) level automation, end to end automation, or both. Only by thoroughly analyzing the project can we select the right tool for it.
B. Ease of Use
The tool should simplify the process of developing and maintaining test scripts and minimize the need for human resources. Script creation and execution should be quick, easy and error-free. for any project member, regardless of technical knowledge. For example, the Behavior Driven Development (BDD) framework is written in simple English known as Gherkin language and is mapped with step definition (code) so a non-technical person can easily understand the automation coverage and execute it accordingly.
C. Reporting Capabilities
The tool should have good reporting capabilities, including the ability to generate simplified reports which are easy for non-technical teams and management to understand. Different formats should be available to filter out the level of detail in reporting. In case of bugs or failures, it should provide detailed report on what went wrong.D. Technical Support and Assistance
There should be availability of dedicated technical, professional and user support. This can include training material and resources, tutorial videos, technical blogs, active online forums and a platform for live support with quick response time from support team.
Conclusion
At the moment, the scope of automation testing is vast and a wide variety of test automation frameworks and tools are available in the market. With so many options to choose from, it is important that organizations make the right decision and select the testing tool that best fits their specific needs and requirements before jumping into implementation of an automation framework.About TestWorthy
Testworthy is a powerful end-to-end test management tool that allows you to plan, execute and track your testing efforts to ensure the development of high-quality software and a seamless customer experience. Sign up NOW for a FREE 30-day trial.
This article was originally published in TestPlanetFAQs
While choosing the right tool for test automation, it's important to check whether the software can integrate with the technology stack being used in your organization. The test management software must also support the programming frameworks, languages, and platforms used in the project. This will help you assess the functionality and reliability of the test management software. You should also ensure that the tool satisfies your organization's test management and reporting requirements.Choosing the correct test automation tool is essential because it can improve test coverage, reduce manual QA efforts, improve test accuracy, and increase testing efficiency. It should also integrate with the technology stack and meet the organization's test management and reporting requirements. Choosing the wrong tool might result in additional expenses, disruptions, and failure to satisfy the testing criteria.An effective automation tool should include features such as test script creation and maintenance, integration with other software testing tools, cross-browser compatibility, scheduling, reporting, and analytics. It should also be easily usable, offer reliable technical support, and be compatible with the organization's technology stack.