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| Test Automation Stategy |
The
convergence of factors such as intense competition, the launch of new devices,
the presence of legacy systems, and a multiplicity of platforms, operating
systems, browsers, and networks has made the development of software a
challenge. Add to that the changing dynamics of customer preferences and the
advent of development models like Agile-DevOps, and you observe ‘quality’
becoming the preferred deliverable in the SDLC. To keep pace with digitization,
businesses are required to develop robust and secure software applications that
are rich in performance and functionality, in the shortest turnaround time.
This entails incorporating Continuous Integration (CI) and a robust QA
mechanism in the SDLC to deliver quality applications to the customers. Since
manual testing remains woefully inadequate to address the challenge, test
automation seems to have become the de rigueur for software testing.
Advantages
of conducting test automation
Extensive
test coverage: Since
the software application of today has a comprehensive interface with various
elements of the digital environment courtesy the APIs, it needs to go through
an extensive QA exercise. With test automation services, codes can be
integrated on a continuous basis and critical parameters validated within short
turnarounds. The automated test scripts can check a multitude of test variables
to find out if the test outcomes are on expected lines. Thus, the test scripts
are able to identify glitches that may have crept into the codes. Moreover,
since automation testing can work practically nonstop, the iterative tests can
be validated across processes, APIs, devices, and networks. It is a far cry
from manual testing where the test coverage area depends on the ability of
human testers to conduct (or do away with) extensive tests.
Cost
effectiveness: Due
to the lack of extensive test coverage in the manual process, glitches can
remain undetected for long. And when they are eventually detected in the final
stages of the SDLC, it becomes costly and time consuming to eliminate them. The
automation testing approach, on the other hand, can identify glitches in the
initial stages of the development sprint. These glitches when brought to the
notice of the development team are easy to eliminate, and thereby lead to cost
savings.
Faster
time-to-market: Software
test automation can validate the quality of an application in the shortest
possible time. This leads to a quicker integration of codes and a swift delivery
of the software suite.
Reusability:
Many of the
automated test scripts can be reused for similar software applications. This
quickens the time of testing as test automation experts are not required to
write new test scripts.
Any
automation testing approach needs to be robust and clear in its objectives. Let
us find out the best approaches to implement automation testing.
So
what does a great automation testing strategy require?
To
begin with, not every process can be automated, nor can manual testing be fully
eliminated. The test automation experts should identify the processes that lend
themselves to automation. It is better to automate a few tests that are
repetitive, complex and time consuming.
Record
and Playback: In
this approach, testers record the actions of users and play them back a number
of times to compare the actual results against expected outcomes. The approach
uses hard coded data, which can be understood and executed by non-coders should
the complexities in terms of customization is kept at a minimum. This approach
is easy to be implemented and has a low development cost as well.
Data
driven framework: This
works well when the workflow is repetitive and the data voluminous. Here, the
test scripts run alongside the respective data sets within a framework. It
helps to validate applications with big data sets in multiple environments.
This approach consists of a limited number of checkpoints with robust test
cases. The data driven framework test scripts can be reused and help to enhance
the test coverage area.
Keyword
driven framework/table driven/action world testing: The test consists of two
distinct stages – design/development and execution. This test automationframework can validate applications across multiple environments and data sets.
It has a good test flow coverage and the script can be reused.
Conclusion
In a
continuous integration and delivery environment, the role of QA automation
testing cannot be overemphasized. However, to derive the right test outcomes,
proper automation tool, processes, and strategy should be selected.
Diya
works for Cigniti Technologies, which is the world’s first Independent Software Testing Company to be
appraised at CMMI-SVC v1.3, Maturity Level 5, and is also ISO 9001:2015 &
ISO 27001:2013 certified.
