Automation testing refers to a software testing technique performed with the use of automated testing software tools in order to execute a test case suite. This is opposed to manual testing, which is performed by a human being sitting in front of a computer carefully executing the steps.
Automation testing usually uses software to enter test data into the system being tested, then compare results and generate detailed test reports. This process of test automation requires investments in finances and resources.
At certain times, successive development cycles will necessitate the repeated execution of the same test suite. With a test automation tool, it’s possible to record and replay this test suite as required. Once the test suite is automated, there’s no need for human intervention. Test automation can help businesses in countless ways. Generally, its goal is to reduce the number of test cases for manual runs, and remember, this doesn’t seek to eliminate manual testing.
There are times your business will need to go through a test automation framework to ensure that the test automation process or the automated testing process is being implemented well. Understanding the test automation processes also involves getting to know concepts like test coverage, automated tests, manual testing process, automated software testing, test automation tools or automation testing tools, and so much more.
The 10 Steps In The Automation Testing Process
Here are the steps in the automation testing process, from coordinating with the management to script maintenance.
Step 1: Coordinating With The Management
Since automation testing requires considerable investment, it’s important to do a cost-benefit analysis and convince the management about why this is better than manual testing.
Among the methodologies in this particular step include:
- Detailed report preparation on the benefits of test automation
- Cost-benefit analysis on the expenses for the automation tools
- A waiting period to see the automation testing benefits come into fruition
- The savings in human resources by requiring fewer of the manual testers
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Step 2: Recruiting Automation Tool Specialists
The process of automation testing also involves recruiting individuals specialized in automation tools. These automation engineers and architects will take charge of building automation frameworks as they are experienced in various automation tools.
Moreover, they can also coordinate with the team management to choose the right automation tool and help in building the automation framework. These individuals also assist the proper test cases for automation.
These automation engineers are also those who convert manual test cases into automated test scripts that are automated as run by the automation tool.
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Step 3: Selecting The Right Automation Tool
The third step is about choosing the right automation tool from the various choices in the market.
Here are the most significant considerations when choosing the automation tool:
- The automation tool should be according to the budget
- The automation tool should support all technologies utilized in the application
- There is a need to recruit the appropriate skilled resources to operate the automation tool
- The automation tool should have proper reporting mechanisms to show the results to the stakeholders after test execution
Step 4: Choosing The Applications Ideal For Test Automation
This step involves factors that include:
- The application chosen for automation should not be in the initial stages of development; It should have been tested by manual testers first
- The UI must be stable
- The desired application must have the entire manual test cases in written formats
- Manual testers ensuring the application is free of bugs
- The application must have written test cases; The testing team would turn them into test scripts prior to running them
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Step 5: Training Your Automation Teams
This step involves automation engineers, automation architects, and manual testers knowing automation technologies and the concepts with regards to the automation tool.
In line with these, the automation team must be given proper training. There should also be strong communication between automation architects, automation engineers, developers, and manual testers. In the rapidly evolving tech industry, automated testing services are becoming an essential part of ensuring software quality and functionality.
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Step 6: Creating The Automation Testing Framework
This automation framework involves rules and planning strategies to be able to write test scripts that require minimal maintenance. Automation frameworks consist of data-drive, hybrid, keyword-driven, linear, and modular frameworks.
Step 7: Setting Up The Execution Plan
This execution plan incorporates environments for implementing the scripts. This includes the browser, hardware, and operating system.
If the test case needs checking in various browsers, then the automation team must write the scripts to be implemented in these browsers.
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Step 8: Writing The Scripts
Businesses should note that proper naming conventions must be used when writing the scripts to prevent code loss. Furthermore, manual test cases must also be translated to automated scripts in this step.
Step 9: Reporting
Like with many other processes, it’s very important for the team to create reports so that they can inform the management of their findings. These reports may be in the form of charts and tables.
Step 10: Script Maintenance
This last step that involves script maintenance may consist of a request for changes in the application. Scripts are updated and maintained to ensure the smooth running of the applications. This is to avoid poor script maintenance that results in the failure of automation projects.
Final Words
This article has elaborated the automation testing process, with each step that should be correctly implemented to ensure the application runs smoothly and the timely completion of the project. The learnings above should have been able to offer help to businesses and everybody needing automation testing, so they’ll not get lost along the way. It involves adhering to a set of guidelines and processes to implement the automation process well.
