Effective Test Automation Development Strategy

Every user now wants lighting speed along with multiple features, exceptional visual appearance along with frequent updates for better performance. Keeping in mind the cut-throat competition; effective and value added QA is not possible with only manual effort.

Test automation has come a long way in this tech industry. It’s a mandate now to get all your tests automated in the timely manner and parallel development of test suites in the development cycle.

The successful implementation of the testing automation process lies in the strategy.

Key Elements of Successful Test Automation Strategy:

• Scope and Goal Outline: It is crucial to identify the right set of tests (primarily critical to high-priority tests) to automate. This includes both Service-level and UI tests. Automation is most effective for repetitive tasks, multiple device and browser testing, and form submissions with varying inputs, saving time and effort in each release cycle. Identify test cases that are not suitable for automation, especially those dependent on human cognition.
• Right Tool Selection: Selecting the appropriate automation tool is essential for reducing costs, achieving quicker turnaround times, and maximizing return on investment. Conduct a proof of concept (POC) before selecting the tool. While cost is a factor, consider other aspects such as ease of automation, integration flexibility, and long-term planning.
• Approach Establishment: Creating a roadmap is key to the success of an automation project. Define the priority of test cases to determine the initial focus of automation efforts. Set a timeline for automating a specific number of test cases within a defined period. Use a burndown chart to monitor progress and pace of automation and plan accordingly to meet your goals.
• Test Case Design: Once the test approach and tools are chosen, begin designing the test cases. Keep the test cases concise and easy to understand. Prioritize tests based on software component hierarchy. Avoid duplicating efforts; if a test is already covered in Service/API level tests, there’s no need to repeat automation at the UI/integration level.