4 reasons why your Software Test Automation Strategy is not working for you

Software Test Automation

Software test automation has been adopted by businesses to address the changing dynamics of the digital environment. It aims at hastening the software development process and securing for the end user, a rewarding experience. Furthermore, it helps both the testers and developers to identify and eliminate bugs not to speak of executing a speedy validation of the features and functionalities of the software. Even though your test automation strategy is capable of delivering goods aligned to your business objectives, it can go horribly wrong as well. 

Although achieving short term success is commonplace, software testing automation can hit a roadblock when used for a longer period. To ensure the testing phase goes off uninterrupted and delivers the expected results, it is better to avoid a few mistakes.

Let us understand the mistakes, challenges, and expectations that businesses often ignore for reasons of expediency – deliver more number of software within short turnarounds.  

#1. Mismatch in expectations and reality: Software automation tools are expected to be all-encompassing and magic bullets to identify and eliminate all types of glitches. However, this approach is not proper as each tool comes with a specific configuration, functionality and capability. We need to think differently instead of keeping unrealistic expectations like everything will be done at the click of a button, or go for automating the entire testing process, and secure ROI.
As any software comprises numerous digital elements and touchpoints with each requiring validation, testing too should come with a lot of forethought. Find out if the automation testing tool can conduct robust testing across environments. Moreover, the testing team should have the right coding skills to develop the script.

#2. Easy testing? The prevalent notion among testers is that software test automation is a one size fits all process and an easy one at that. Nothing can be farther from the truth. One of the most important requirements of automated testing is the input. To validate the performance of software in terms of features and functionalities, the same should be tested by the end users using relevant inputs. Since it is not always feasible to get the end users, especially when it comes to testing software across environments and geographies, the need to use virtual users becomes important. The automated software should be able to generate multiple users in various environments to validate the software.
Also, you cannot automate the entire testing process, for not every process is amenable to automation. In fact, automation should be treated as an extension of manual testing, which means the process should ideally be a mix of manual and automation testing. The software testing automation strategy should be clear about the tests to be conducted manually. 

#3. Avoid testing on an autopilot mode: Post creating the automation test strategy, it is a common mistake to execute the same test repeatedly as if on autopilot. Remember, executing the same test repeatedly and quickly does not guarantee the best results. To ensure the delivery of quality software, the testing team should come up with the right tests and not stop at that. The testing team should continuously evaluate the tests to find out as to which one shall give the best results. So, it is better to create a test script that suits the specific requirements of testing and not go for a one size fits all types.

#4. Treat test automation akin to software development: With Agile and DevOps paradigms 
defining your overall testing strategy, the focus should be on looking at the entire testing process holistically. The testing process should not be treated as an add-on but an integral part of the SDLC. In other words, the testers should be conversant in coding and be able to write test scripts that are customized to the project requisites. Software testing using automation tools needs continuous improvement and should be updated as per the changing parameters. 

Conclusion

Software test automation is a powerful exercise/process to validate the quality of software across environments. However, testers should use the right strategy and automation tool to achieve the desired results. If done properly, it helps to deliver glitch free software, enhance the workflow, and achieve ROI.

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.

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