How will Test Automation evolve to deal with new challenges?

Test Automation

The domain of Information Technology is changing rapidly. This is majorly due to the advent of new technologies and changing customer preferences. Businesses, in order to address the customers’ demand for a good quality software, are forced to ride the technology bandwagon. So, be it incorporating the Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI & ML) and others, businesses are wary of deploying software application without running a comprehensive test automation exercise. Moreover, any software application of today has to be compatible across a range of devices, operating systems, browsers, frameworks, and networks. This is of utmost importance in providing a rich customer experience, remaining competitive, and realizing ROI. And test automation fits in perfectly to address the above mentioned requisites as well as executing complex regression tests involving a lot of data.

However, notwithstanding the plethora of benefits brought about by QA automation testing, there can be challenges galore. Let us know about the new challenges and the way a robust automated testing strategy can address them. Should automation testing gets executed in the right way, it will help in boosting the efficiency and productivity of the workforce and processes let alone the quality of products.

#1. Compatibility with new devices/browsers/OS versions/networks: There is a mindboggling array of devices, networks, platforms, frameworks, and operating systems in the market. Any software should be tested for compatibility across the above mentioned elements and environments. This is where choosing the right test automation framework from the below mentioned list becomes important:

• Linear automation framework
• Modular-based testing framework
• Library architecture testing framework
• Data driven framework
• Keyword driven framework
• Hybrid testing framework

The selection of a right testing framework should involve a proper assessment of deliverables, language used, team’s skill set, and cost. 

#2. API Testing: With IoT, AI and ML technologies becoming mainstream, software applications are incorporating them to be with the times. And since embedded software needs to communicate with each other inside devices a la IoT, the corresponding APIs should be validated for quality. In doing so, one should choose the right API testing tools such as REST Assured, Postman, SoapUI, JMeter, Fiddler, Katalon Studio, and KarateDSL among others. The tools allow the seamless writing, running, integrating and automation of advanced API tests.

#3 Virtual test environments: The growing digital transformation initiatives undertaken by businesses and organizations have brought in the Agile-DevOps model of software development, testing and deployment. The test automation services should create a proper CI/CD pipeline to meet customer expectations. Since testing the application on a multitude of environments is not always feasible, virtual test environments should be created. The latter can validate the quality of software on a slew of parameters by generating the requisite test data. 

#4. Use of AI in software test automation: As software gets more complex, testing the same with a traditional software test automation suite can be a challenge. However, AI can help the cause by predicting and identifying glitches based on analysing past outcomes. Moreover, AI can help in creating test data and automated test suites thereby saving the time of test automation experts. The set of test data generated by AI shall be useful in performing end-to-end QA at every stage of the SDLC. Overall, AI assisted QA can help to validate the quality of software in terms of performance, functionality, reliability, usability, and security.

#5. Security testing: Software is becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber-crime - thanks to the proliferation of a multitude of malware, trojans, and viruses. Moreover, strict security regulations have been put in place both at the domestic and international levels to ensure greater software compliance and reduction of security risks. DevSecOps is the new methodology wherein security is incorporated within the rigmarole of DevOps to identify and eliminate security vulnerabilities. The automation testing approach should meet the security considerations by using appropriate test suites and tools.

#6. Need for CI/CD: The meaning of software quality has undergone a paradigm shift. It is no longer about ensuring the quality of software at the time of delivery alone but maintaining it throughout the lifecycle of a product. This is the crux of DevOps that calls for upholding the Continuous Integration and Delivery of software by keeping it updated at all times. By choosing the right QA automation tool the same can be achieved leading to cost optimization and driving customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Test automation services need to use the right test strategy and tools to ensure proper test outcomes. This requires stakeholders to invest adequate money and time to make the software quality compliant and ensure its adherence to security protocols and regulations.

Diya works for Cigniti Technologies, which is the world’s first Independent Software Testing Company to be appraised at CMMI-SVC v1.3, Maturity Level 5, and is also ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 27001:2013 certified.