To create and release quality software, it is necessary to conduct testing, preferably in advance. To make testing more efficient, many specialists strive to automate this process. Doing it correctly is not an easy task and is not always possible. Let's delve into the most common mistakes when organizing automated testing and consider options for how to overcome these mistakes.
Mistakes While Automating Testing
1. Missed the first step
Before you start automating testing, you need to understand why you are doing this. Most likely there are too many pages to test or a lot of routine work, a QA company that has been professionally engaged in testing automation for many years can figure this out and help. After you clearly see your goal, get the next step. Usually, before you automate testing, you need to understand what you didn't like about the usual work format.
Solution: Identify the key goals you want to achieve in each automation task. Each area of automation should have measurable and defined goals and be specifically aimed at increasing speed.
2. Automated the wrong things
Testing is a very complex multi-component process. Sometimes, some teams try to automate processes that cannot be automated. It takes a lot of time and effort, but it does not result.
So, if you use one type of testing only once a year, then there is no need to spend several months automating processes (creating a framework and scripts).
Solution: The best tests to automate are those that are reproducible and deterministic. If the code changes regularly, it is not easy to automate it. Here, an individual approach to the case under test is required.
3. Using the wrong tools
Some specialists want to find a tool that will help solve all the tasks simultaneously. It is a big mistake because there are simply no such people. The QA testing process is quite complex, so it is always better to choose tools that will solve one problem well. Today there are a considerable number of different devices so that you can select the essential tool depending on the goals, the professionalism of the team, and many other points.
Solution: First, you should prioritize problem areas and then move on to gradually automating their testing. You can try several tools and see how effective they are in a particular case.
4. The selected tools are not suitable
The technicians must know how to operate the tool. Whatever expensive and feature-rich tool you choose, it doesn't matter if you don't have to use it.
There are 3 main types of testers:
- Offers to use only one programming environment;
- Prefer higher-level tools that use modeling and do not require programming skills;
- They are not technical people who do acceptance testing, usability testing, etc. and prefer to use natural language to write tests.
Tool developers are well versed in this, so they create different software for each of these varieties of testers.
Solution: Try a trial run of your chosen tools, understand how they work, and decide how they meet your requirements and needs. In addition, a good solution would be to improve your qualifications and your team's skills constantly. It can simplify the process of automating all functional and non functional testing types as much as possible.
5. Wrongly calculated the cost of automation
Test automation is a rather complicated process that involves the purchase of expensive tools, advanced training of specialists, and long-term work on the project. The more methods you need to automate, the more it costs.
Sometimes, before testing automation begins, executives, bosses or managers incorrectly calculate all expenses, so the process is frozen. It leads not only to the fact that all the costs and efforts go nowhere.
Solution: when calculating the cost of test automation, you should consider force majeure situations and and always include about 20% more in the final amount. In this case, you can be sure there will be enough funding.
6. Pick a tool just in case
Many testers believe that open source tools are better and more professional, but at the same time, working with them requires specific knowledge. Open source tools have some limitations, despite the attractive lack of royalties. Some have limited functionality and may not provide all the required functionality.
Many testers use 2 types of tools at once: open source and commercial tools. They skillfully complement each other and allow you to get the job done faster and easier.
Solution: Before you start automating, you need to select several types of tools based on specific tasks that will be most suitable for a given type of test.
7. There is no testing culture
Some testers are willing to blame automation tools for their failures. However, often the problem is that the testing culture simply has not been created. Teams with culture issues may be biased against test automation, or they may still assign only one person as a tester and require all testing activities to go through that tester.
Solution: Consider a distribution principle for working on difficult testing areas. One task can be distributed among 2-3 people, where each with a fresh and professional eye will accurately and correctly assess the test conditions.
8. Lack of correct test data management
Sometimes non-systemic test data management can significantly hinder the effectiveness and efficiency of automated testing efforts. This might occur when there's a lack of discipline, control and strategy for managing test data in organizations.
Solution: To address this, implement a robust test data management strategy that includes:
- Use automated tools to generate realistic and diverse test data.
- Protect sensitive data by masking or anonymizing it.
- Regularly update test data to reflect changing business requirements.
9. Incomplete and unclear test reporting
Poorly designed and executed test reporting can hinder effective decision-making and problem-solving within development and testing teams. Ineffective reporting can lead to misinterpretation of test results, delayed issue resolution, and ultimately, a compromised software quality.
Solution: To avoid wrong test reporting, implement a robust strategy that includes clear and concise reports, key metrics, visualizations, automated generation, actionable insights, regular reporting and tailored reporting to provide timely and actionable information to stakeholders.
