2023 Guide to Automation Testing Strategy
Manual testing is the traditional software testing type that has made a mark for itself in testing bugs and improving the quality of software. But when it comes to dealing with speed, higher efficiency and working with huge amounts of test data then automation testing is a viable solution to go for. Testing processes are dramatically enhanced by test automation. By incorporating a test automation strategy, automation testing activities are scaled up.
In this article, you will go through a detailed overview of the test automation strategy.
What is a test automation strategy?
A test automation strategy is an important component of the larger testing strategy. It helps in communicating the goals and plans related to the overall testing process. The capabilities and risks are known and solved accordingly through a well-defined test automation strategy. The core objective is to ensure that a tactical plan is created for carrying out automation testing activities in a streamlined manner.
Following are the eight key steps required to develop a test automation strategy:
1. The high business value tests need to be properly defined: The most important aspects that need to be tested are defined by “high business value tests.” These tests are structured flows that make the business fail if they stop working. The business needs to put in strategic efforts to understand high business value tests, which in turn helps to know whether the proposed solution fits your critical scenarios.
2. The risk needs to be identified: There should be clarity in knowing what should be tested first and what should be tested last. A risk-based approach needs to be used to ascertain this test automation priority. The priority or risk of each thing that needs to be tested should be ascertained by figuring out the business impact.
Those things with the highest probability of failure and highest business impact should be on top of the priority list.
3. The tools, technology and resources need to be properly understood: The testing team should know how the testing automation solution will impact the overall environment. Proper accounts along with proper environmental access are required to run the tests. The right libraries and APIs should also be considered.
A robust working solution is required to build into the overall framework without creating any fragile tests.
4. The dependency on reliable data: Data plays a key role in test automation activities. There should be a specific process to ensure that the data that is being used is correct right from the initial stages of the testing process. Pre-scripts are run to load or validate the data or another script in the automation framework can be used, thereby saving hours of redoing or rewriting the tests.
5. DevSecOps should be well-defined: There is an opportunity for testers to directly work with build and deploy tools such as Jenkins servers.
6. The testing environment needs to be considered: The environmental conditions need to be properly documented. If need be required certain tokens or VPNs can be used. The patching being done on specific systems should also be considered.
7. The tests need to be tagged: The test should be tagged and grouped logically. If the tags are not put in place then a lot of groundwork needs to be done to find the purpose of certain tests. Then after, the specific tests that need to be run should be identified.
8. The importance of testing efficiencies: When more amount of testing is being carried out, the same testing logic can be applied to different areas to create efficiencies and thus save resources and time.
9. Agile tools can be embraced: The documentation part can be worked upon properly by embracing Agile and DevOps tools.
Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing test automation for your specific project, then do get connected with a professionally acclaimed software testing services company that will provide you with strategic testing solutions that are in line with your project specific requirements.
About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.