The phrase “automation testing” describes a technique for software testing that utilizes specialized automated testing software tools to execute a test case suite. On the other hand, manual testing is done by a person sitting in front of a computer who methodically goes through each step of the testing process.
The automated testing software may also generate comprehensive test reports, compare expected results to actual results, and introduce test data into the System Under Test (SUT). Software testing automation often requires significant financial and resource commitments.
Across succeeding development cycles, the same test suite will need to be run several times. It is possible to use an automated testing tool to record this test suite, which can be replayed as often as required. Human intervention is no longer needed after the test suite has been automated. Test automation aims to reduce the number of test cases that must be manually completed rather than replacing manual testing.
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One of the most significant advancements in mobile testing was the rise of test automation. Yet, not all companies use automated testing for Quality Assurance (QA). Maintaining a high level of product quality can be made much easier by learning about potential issues before you run into them. In this article, we’ll talk about possible mistakes and provide some possible ways to prevent or fix them.
8 Common mistakes to avoid when implementing Automated Testing
1. Selected tools are no more required.
Although a wide range of tools is available for purchase with any amount, this does not mean you should get as many instruments as you can. Access to many different tools could impair your judgment, causing you to select the wrong one while making decisions.
Because there are so many different problems, automated testing cannot be viewed as a universal fix. As a result, no one technology can adequately address all of these challenges. The first step is ensuring that the tools you select will help identify the problems that must be repaired. Selecting the right tools becomes much simpler once you know the traits to look for.
The best way to avoid choosing the wrong tool is to examine project development methods, determine whether the focus is on quality control or assurance, and evaluate team members’ skills. You risk providing the team with the incorrect set of tools if you don’t have a backup plan. If the team’s experience does not align with the toolset, it will take them longer to become accustomed to it.
2. Manual testing has been replaced by automated testing.
Although test automation is an excellent technique for reducing the time spent on testing, manual testing should also be done. Not using manual testing can result in ineffective testing. Like the difference between driving a car and walking, automated testing differs from manual testing. Driving your car is usually always the most convenient and quickest option. On the other hand, certain places can only be reached on foot because no road leads there. Similarly, automated testing can save costs and time, but it’s not always the case. The strategy that has proven to be the most effective method uses automated and manual testing, where one type complements the other.
3. Playback and Record features are used.
The majority of current devices have in-built record-and-play functionalities integrated right into them. These characteristics enable the testers to develop automated scripts for various scenarios quickly. On the other side, this is where the biggest mistake is hidden because these automation systems are built using static data. The testers here are not recording the validations, so if there are any changes, they must analyze and record them. The dynamic data can be destroyed as a result of this.
The engineers working on the project are unfamiliar with the automation technique when the process of automating tests starts. People might therefore rely on the capability to capture and playback sounds.
Under ideal circumstances, record and playback testing should only be used to create various skeleton scripts; the last level of automated testing should be performed without this specification. The most notable disadvantage of this tool is that it produces complicated scripts that are difficult to maintain. However, for automated testing to be effective, the scripts must be kept reasonably simple so that any team member can understand them and maintain them up to date.
4. Deciding which processes may be automated and which not.
The first and most crucial step toward achieving successful test automation from a tester’s perspective is understanding what testing process components should be automated and how doing so would benefit the organization. Paying a tester to automate a process would be a waste of money if the tester didn’t understand the main reason for automating the processes and how it would help the organization reach its primary goals.
Deciding which tasks should be automated and executed manually may be challenging if you have never used automation. But entering it without a plan is also a bad idea. You must thoroughly understand how automation affects daily operations, expenses, and implementation time.
5. Inadequate training provided to team members.
Organizations frequently fail to see that while implementing change is easy, getting people to accept it and learn to live with it is tremendously difficult. Here is where most organizations have issues. They don’t involve their team in the automation implementation process.
Here are two key phases when you must ensure that your team is on board with you:
- Training and execution
- Implementation and testing of the automated solution
The group members who will be using any new tool should first obtain proper training on it before introducing it. It shouldn’t be introduced to the organization and put through a trial-and-error process. Instead, the tools should be taught to a set of people first; once they have mastered them, they can train others.
The most efficient way to achieve this is via providing training. Create a training manual and organize several workshops and meetings before implementing your automation plan. Also, it is vital to conduct a testing session to ensure all your staff members fully comprehend the automated processes.
6. No Supervision
The supervision extends beyond simply managing your employees’ roles and responsibilities inside a project during automation. Moreover, managing the entire project and automating jobs are both parts of supervision. Sales will suffer if you cannot adequately manage your automated processes since you will lose control of the project. Therefore, supervisors should constantly be keeping an eye on automated processes to make sure that all steps are done effectively. When something goes wrong, they ought to be the first to know about it and be in charge of fixing it.
7. Automating big tasks
The idea that larger tasks should be automated first is a common misunderstanding. Yet, in practice, automating smaller tasks first and turning your attention to larger ones later is usually always preferable.
If the large tasks are automated initially, completing the automation process will be time-consuming and challenging. In addition, you risk making mistakes that could seriously jeopardize the operation. That can consequently result in a loss of cash resources.
What happens if you end up being overburdened with big projects? You should restructure and prioritize these tasks into smaller pieces since automation is the only solution if there is no other way to do them. While automating some parts that you feel are repetitive, try to work alone on some of the components.
8. Never select a tool just because it is open-source.
Open-source programs and applications are currently enjoying a lot of market support. Although it will save money, choosing an open-source tool shouldn’t be the only factor considered when choosing a tool that can be Selenium, Cypress, or Playwright.
It’s necessary to have a solid technological foundation to use open-source software and tools. If you run into any issues when using the tool, you won’t be able to contact the vendor by phone or mail for assistance.
Because there are no license fees involved in utilizing open-source tools, users are lured to them, yet, these tools have some limitations. Therefore, you need to be very clear about what you need and how the tool will help you automate obtaining the requirements. In addition, some have restricted functionalities and might not provide all the features you are looking for.
What must core principles be followed to be successful while automating a process?
It’s crucial to keep the following things in mind when automating a process:
- Always keep things simple. It would help if you didn’t make things too complicated to make them seem more refined and fancy.
- Performing simple tasks does not entail that automation is an easy process. Instead, it suggests taking small steps toward achieving your automation goals. You can start your automating journey with one of the most specific features; the final interpretation may be quite complicated in the future.
- The group must be able to collaborate across functional lines. Only the testers or the developers should have exclusive access to the automation work; both should share it. Each discipline will need to take over the duties of the others to automate the project properly. Everyone engaged gains an in-depth knowledge of the project from this approach and the ability to handle any potential technical issues.
- Invest your time in becoming acquainted with the application you want to automate. Then, plan it well to prevent any technological missteps.
- To ensure the right product is being developed, continue speaking to customers and testers for feedback.
- Use the proper coding methodologies and standards. Again, a simple design is required, and you must keep the tests independent.
- The maintenance and implementation of automation as well as the integration of automated suites into continuous integration, are all covered by automation for a team. However, testers must learn and use new techniques, technologies, and instruments to keep up.
Conclusion
Automation can be helpful in today’s highly competitive market, where buyers want high-quality goods delivered within the timeline. Before starting any automation process:
- Know about all requirements.
- Be aware of any constraints.
- List all the needs that can be automated.
The next crucial step, selecting the right tools, must be taken after fully understanding the requirements. It would help if you always considered ROI, time saved, cost savings, and the general advantages it offers organizations while selecting automation tools properly.
Try not to run for automation and think it will allow you to deliver your product faster. Instead, choose which areas to automate carefully, and ensure your test approach and plan are straightforward.
To prevent committing the common mistakes connected with test automation, start by automating an introductory module, such as daily repetitive duties, and then turn your focus to more complicated modules afterward. To excel in automation, upgrade your testing skill sets and keep taking up the challenges.