3 Big Questions of Software Automation Test: Why, When, and How?

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Hi guys, I am Peter Tran from DevSamurai. Automation in testing not only enhances efficiency but also significantly reduces the potential for human error. Today let's deep dive into the intricacies of software test automation, a key enabler in the quest for excellence in software delivery.

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Why should companies choose automated tests?

Test automation has emerged as a crucial element within software development due to the vast number of applications being used and developed daily. Under the pressure of user demands, applications must evolve rapidly, rendering manual testing inadequate.

Organizations employ various testing methodologies to ascertain and enhance the quality of their products. Among these, regression testing is crucial for maintaining the quality of a product over time. Furthermore, organizations that lack an automated test suite would derive substantial benefits from implementing a test automation platform specifically designed for their needs.

Additionally, the adoption of automated testing processes significantly reduces organizational time and cost burdens while greatly enhancing product quality. Consequently, this growing realization is rendering manual testing increasingly ineffective. Today, an automated test suite can simulate the interactions of hundreds of virtual users with an application, a capability far beyond the reach of manual testing methods.

When should companies use automation test?

Considering the advantages of test automation—such as accelerating development and feature rollout, enhancing product quality, and cutting operational costs—it’s certainly worthwhile for businesses for whom these factors are critical.To transition from manual to automated testing, it is advisable to evaluate which tasks or test cases are suitable for automation and to assess the potential return on investment.Besides that, there are a few types of testing that are difficult or not preferred:

• User Experience: focuses on the overall experience of a user while interacting with a product.
  => UX testing involves subjective assessments that depend heavily on human feelings, preferences, and experiences, which cannot be accurately replicated by automated systems.
• Usability Testing: evaluates how easy and intuitive an application is for users. It typically involves observing real users as they attempt to complete tasks on the product and is essential for identifying usability obstacles that could frustrate users.
  => This type of testing depends on real-time feedback and interaction from users, which automated tests cannot mimic. Observing where users struggle, the kind of mistakes they make, and where they get confused requires human observers to interpret complex human behaviors and reactions.
• Exploratory Testing: is an approach where testers actively explore the software without a set script or predefined test cases, relying instead on their skills and intuition to discover issues or unexpected behavior.
  => By nature, exploratory testing is spontaneous and creative, relying on the tester’s insight, experience, and intuition to guide the process.
• User Acceptance (UAT): is performed to determine if a system satisfies the business requirements and is ready for real-world use.
  => UAT tests whether the solution works for the user in their actual operating environment and meets their business needs.

In all these types of testing, the common limitation for automation is the inherent need for human judgment, subjective feedback, and flexible thinking, which are critical for assessing the usability and user experience of any software application.

→ Related content: AI Influence: Permanent Shift in Quality Assurance?

How to decide on automation tests?

When determining which tests to automate, it is crucial to assess their importance, as not all tests can be automated. Consider prioritizing tests based on the following criteria:

• Regression tests are the most frequently run test scenarios.
• Tests that are labor-intensive or need to be executed repeatedly.
• Tests are prone to human error that could result in failures.
• Routine and tedious tests that do not vary.
• Comprehensive tests that utilize multiple data sets.
• Tests that are impossible to execute manually.
• High-stakes tests that provide critical data possibly be used in legal situations.

While automation brings numerous benefits, it is important for companies to strategically select which tests to automate to maximize their return on investment. By doing so, businesses can achieve better product quality and operational efficiency, staying competitive in a demanding technological landscape.

Check out how you can utilize test case management here on marketplace!