Mastering automation testing tools often presents a challenging learning curve, extending the evaluation period beyond reasonable limits. This prolonged evaluation can lead to drawn-out processes, sometimes resulting in abandoning automation projects altogether.
This article delineates uncomplicated steps for evaluating and integrating automation tools.
Manual vs. Automated Testing
Debates continue to emerge regarding the efficacy of manual testing versus the surging popularity of automation testing. Despite differing viewpoints, the contemporary significance of test automation remains indisputable.
The present software landscape demands a paradigm of “Quality at Speed” from industry participants. This concept entails delivering higher-quality products to end-users within shorter timeframes. This challenging mandate has propelled the impressive ascent of test automation, fundamentally altering the landscape by enabling QA teams to execute test cases faster and with greater accuracy.
Test categories that entail repetitive procedures, particularly regression testing, stand out as prime candidates for automation. The frequent alterations in software would considerably elevate the overall cost of time and human resources if these tests were performed manually. Hence, automation emerges as the smarter and more efficient choice in such scenarios.
For a comprehensive understanding of automation testing, delve into this comprehensive introduction to test automation.
Also Read: 20+ Most Important Tips While Developing Custom Software
Automation testing tools
Automation testing tools generally fall into three categories:
Open-source automation tools:
These platforms offer free access to their source code, enabling users to adopt or customize it to suit their testing requirements. As they are free and community-driven, they appeal to automation testers with a programming background due to their adaptability and the ability to customize advanced test cases.
Commercial automation tools:
Designed for commercial purposes, these tools are typically available through subscription plans or paid licenses. They often offer premium features and comprehensive customer service, making them suitable for companies or enterprises seeking a complete testing solution.
Custom frameworks:
For niche projects with unique testing processes or environments, standard open-source or commercial tools may not suffice. In such cases, teams create custom software tailored to their specific needs. However, these custom frameworks are intricate and require technical expertise for deployment.
Selecting the Appropriate Automation Tool for Your Project
Before delving into the tool selection process, evaluating whether Test automation aligns with your team’s current needs and testing requirements is imperative. Not all QA teams necessitate automation to expedite their testing procedures, as manual testing still holds significance for specific project needs and requisites.
Instances where Test Automation is essential include:
- Numerous repetitive test cases
- Frequent regression testing
- Simulation of a high number of users for performance testing
- Stable UI
- Critical functionalities that cannot rely solely on manual testing
- These demanding scenarios underscore the necessity for test automation, requiring QA practitioners to understand their project specifics for accurate identification thoroughly.
Factors to Consider for Evaluating Automation Testing Tools
When assessing a new tool, consider both present requirements and future needs. It’s not solely about meeting immediate needs; it’s crucial to anticipate and comprehend how testing will evolve in the upcoming years. Will the tool be adaptable to forthcoming technologies and methodologies? This forward-thinking approach ensures that the chosen tool aligns with current demands and future advancements in the testing landscape.
Define your automation objectives
Identify the primary pain points and obstacles encountered in your existing processes. Determine the anticipated advantages and results stemming from automation. Additionally, establish the criteria for gauging the success and influence of automation. These inquiries aid in outlining the scope and goals of your automation initiative, allowing you to prioritize the most crucial and achievable tasks for automation.
Compare the tool’s capabilities and features
Subsequently, assess and contrast the various test automation tools in terms of their functionalities. During this evaluation, consider the tools’ support for diverse languages, platforms, frameworks, and browsers. Evaluate the ease of installation, setup, and upkeep. Additionally, scrutinize the user interface’s usability, accessibility, and the comprehensiveness of the accompanying documentation.
Explore the tool’s compatibility and seamless integration with other systems and software. Furthermore, consider factors such as the tool’s reliability, performance, and scalability. Evaluate the availability of support, frequent updates, and the richness of community resources. Utilize a feature-based comparison method, like a matrix or checklist, to methodically rank the tools based on your specific preferences and priorities, ensuring a well-informed decision-making process.
The chosen automation testing tool should align with your application’s technology and adapt to emerging innovations. An essential aspect is its ability to function seamlessly across various platforms and browsers your customers typically use, particularly concerning your customer-facing portal.
Ease of use and maintenance is another critical factor. Managing both the application and automation scripts requires simplicity and efficiency in tracking.
Consider employing an AI-powered test orchestration and execution such as LambdaTest. This tool facilitates executing automation tests on a reliable, scalable, secure cloud-based infrastructure. LambdaTest offers convenient access to over 3000 desktop and mobile environments, enabling comprehensive compatibility testing for browsers and applications.
Assessment of Team Skills:
Automation testing is notably more technical than manual testing. Some tools, especially open-source software, demand testers to possess programming expertise for scripting and execution. This technical barrier poses a significant challenge for QA teams lacking a strong IT background. Codeless automation testing tools have emerged as a potential solution to this impediment.
Budget Consideration:
Test automation may not always be cost-effective initially, but it typically yields a positive return on investment (ROI) in the long term. The choice between open-source or commercial tools often depends on the budget allocated for automation. “Cost” encompasses more than just the tool’s price tag; it involves various indirect expenses such as installation duration, learning curve, and other associated costs.
Some of these elements have been previously highlighted, including training, learning curves, resource allocation, documentation, installation, compatibility, and manuals. It’s crucial to take a comprehensive view of all costs, especially the indirect ones, as the total expense of a vendor-based tool might sometimes be lower than an open-source alternative, depending on the support provided for the open-source product.
Consequently, unforeseen indirect costs can emerge unexpectedly, posing significant challenges. For instance, I’ve encountered situations where applications were acquired without a budget for their installation or environment, leading to operating the tool in an inadequate, shared environment.
Script maintenance and reusability:
The total cost of test automation often escalates due to script maintenance. Ideal automation tools should minimize such efforts by reducing object locator flakiness and ensuring script reusability for similar test cases.
Integration Capabilities:
Efficient automation tools should seamlessly integrate into CI/CD pipelines and external platforms, ensuring continuous testing, improved test management, and enhanced team collaboration.
Technical Support Accessibility:
Open-source software should have active user communities available for troubleshooting. Evaluating an automation tool based on these criteria ensures alignment with your team’s skills, budget, and project requirements, leading to a more effective and efficient testing process.
Assess and contrast the standing and trustworthiness of various test automation vendors
Opt for a vendor with a demonstrated history in test automation, a well-defined strategy for future advancements, a dedicated customer service and support team, an engaged user community, and a positive, reliable reputation. Simplify this comparison by employing a vendor evaluation matrix or scorecard to gauge how each vendor aligns with your set criteria and expectations.
Updates
Inquire whether the open-source or vendor-based application receives regular updates when new software versions are released. Consider what happens if there are existing bugs in the older software versions. Given that system environments evolve, including changes in operating systems, plug-ins, browsers, etc., the necessity for updates arises. Ideally, updates should occur weekly or, at a minimum, quarterly.
This ensures that the maintenance team for the software testing tool receives strong internal support, a crucial aspect of maintaining its efficiency.
Acquiring expertise in a tool and mastering a programming language are distinct endeavors. If your team excels in Java but the tool doesn’t support this language, the additional time required to learn a new language will be added to your automation efforts.
Furthermore, if your product is built on Java, having a team of developers well-versed in Java can assist the automation team with language-related challenges. Choosing a tool that supports a language familiar to your resources is crucial, reducing the learning curve for your team.
Also Read: How Intelligent Automation Services Drive Business Success?
Conclusion
Assessing and choosing automation tools is demanding yet worthwhile. Upon finding the suitable tool, you can harness test automation to achieve optimal outcomes while minimizing resource utilization. With numerous automated testing solutions available, it’s crucial to opt for the one that comprehensively aligns with your requirements.
Factors to consider when choosing an automated testing tool include:
- Compatibility with your technologies and platforms for testing support.
- Evaluate if your focus is on testing web or mobile applications and whether it caters to iOS, Android, or both.
- Assessing whether the QA department can manage keyword testing or if it’s necessary.
- Anticipating the impact of UI changes on automated test performance.
