Automating Testing: 7 Tips to Know Before Beginning Testing

Getting Started with Automating Testing

While testing new software to ensure it is operating properly is a key aspect of QA, a testing process done manually can be very time-consuming and expensive. More and more companies are moving toward automating testing. Test automation allows for detailed and data-intensive tests to be run automatically to improve feedback and quality assurance. Testing in this manner can deliver excellent value when applied and maintained correctly. In order to gain the greatest benefits from test automation, here are seven tips to follow.

1. Determine which tests to automate. Automating all of your tests is not necessary. Automation should be for tests that are run frequently and require a lot of data. By determining which tests are best to automate, you will save time, costs, and maximize the benefit of automation. Tests subject to human error, data-driven tests, tests involving a large number of simultaneous users, and configuration tests run over many hardware platforms, are examples that would best benefit from automation.

2. Remove the uncertainty. Automation delivers consistent results, that being one of its biggest benefits.  Automated scripts should be able to run unattended so the QA team can go about their other tasks. Unstable tests create unreliable results, so don’t be afraid to remove them.

3. Avoid situations where automation is least effective. You do not want to automate a test that may only run once. You will waste time, money, and resources in a process that was better off left to be manually tested. Be sure you weigh your pros and cons before beginning a process that can consume them if not used effectively.

4. Begin testing early. In an agile environment, if you plan on automating testing, you ideally want to begin early in the development cycle. More tests can be run and more bugs can be found and addressed the earlier testers get involved. Bugs and defects that are detected early in the process are a lot less expensive to fix than those discovered later in production.

5. Automate only stable functionalities. Valuable time, money, and resources will be wasted if you automate a function that is likely to soon change.  Make sure the function is stable, so there are no surprise changes once you have begun the process.

6. Select the right tool. There are a variety of test automation tools. Choosing the right one that best suits your overall requirements is key. There are some tools that have a wide range functionality and offer various features. On the other hand, others only perform certain kinds of testing and work with specific languages, such as Java application unit testing. Knowing your requirements and creating a list is the best way to find the tool for you. This way you do not waste time downloading and evaluating testing tools that do not meet your needs.

7. Design tests before you automate. In order to identify high risk areas, and other areas where automating testing would be of greater value you should always create test cases before beginning automation.

Test automation has great potential value when applied and maintained correctly. QAT Global is here to help you design and implement your automated testing strategy, and ensure there is an operational plan in place to maintain it. For more information about how our QA and Testing Services offerings can solve your testing needs, start the conversation today.