10-Step Guide To Getting Started With Automation Testing

Software testing is a vital part of any software development project. More and more testing of the software will ensure a higher standard of quality.

The question here is how to accomplish it. The answer to this is that either you go with manual testing or automation testing.

Due to the need for quick and top-notch software releases to remain competitive in the market, manual testing is no longer sufficient. It is time-consuming, expensive, and prone to human errors. It can hit the customer experience considerably.

That is the reason why automation testing has become a buzzword in the software development industry.

According to the GM insight report, in 2022, the automation testing market size was valued at USD 20 billion and is estimated to reach USD 89.81 billion by 2030.

This blog post serves to explain automation testing, its benefits, and a 10-step guide to getting started with automation testing.

Read on to learn how to get started with automation testing and fulfill your organization’s goal to deliver bug-free software with better quality that can outshine the competition.

What Is Automation Testing?

Automation testing is a vital part of the software development process, utilizing specialized testing tools and frameworks to reduce human intervention and maximize quality.

Automation testing is generally used to automate repetitive chores and other testing tasks that are difficult to achieve manually.

The testing tools and strategies can either increase or decrease the necessity for manual or human intervention in redundant, unskilled, or repetitious processes.

Software testing through an automation testing approach is conducted with the help of automation tools.

One of the most used online platforms is LambdaTest which offers automation testing based on Selenium Grid. Automation testing stems from the flow of the performance of tests as per the documented test scripts.

Then, they are compared with predicted results to assure the reliability and quality of the application.

Automation testing facilitates repetitive tasks and those that are difficult to complete manually, making it an indispensable part of CI/CD pipelines.

Benefits of Automation Testing

Automation testing offers a wide range of benefits in software testing to ensure the quality of the software application.

Many organizations opt for automation testing to ease the work of the software developer and tester. Here are a few benefits of automation testing:

• Offers reliable solutions for software testing due to its usage of efficient testing tools.
• Known to be 70% faster than manual testing, which drastically reduces the time needed for testers and the organization.
• Human intervention is not required in conducting test scripts.
• Allows for re-running and re-using test cases.
• Improves the efficiency and speed of the software testing process.
• Covers all the core features of the application.
• Permits for faster and swifter delivery of the outcome into the market.
• Provides faster feedback systems which result in an effortless communication flow between testers and developers. This helps to detect and fix bugs earlier.
• Provides improved accuracy as there is no risk of human errors.
• Has the capacity to run tremendous amounts of test cases at a time.

10-Step Guide To Getting Started With Automation Testing

Automating your testing process is now an absolute must for any organization striving to deliver top-notch software.

In this digital age, automation testing serves as an essential method of validating the performance and dependability of your software.

Automation testing can significantly reduce testing timeframes and bolster the quality of your products and services.

Here is a 10-step guide to getting started with automation testing.

1. Define The Scope Of the Automation Testing Project

The project’s boundaries should be explicitly established and documented.

This means knowing the system, its elements, and the zones that should be examined. Automation testing should be intended to automate a good part of the test cases.

Furthermore, the tool should be utilized to recognize which parts of the application should be tested.

This can help cut down on the cost of automation while still providing satisfactory coverage.

2. Select The Right Automation Testing Tool

Choosing the right automation testing tool for the work is key to successful automation testing.

The most significant factor to think about when selecting an automation testing tool is making sure that it is compatible with the application being tested.

Moreover, the tool should be compatible with the technology used for building the application and the operating system of the application as well.

Verifying that the automation testing tool is capable of executing all the needed test scenarios and providing the necessary reporting capabilities is key.

What is even more essential is that it should be straightforward to use and have a user-friendly interface.

A cloud-based platform like LambdaTest offers automated cross-browser testing in over 3000 browsers, real devices, and OS.

Further, it is also possible to run Selenium, Cypress, Puppeteer, Playwright, and Appium automation tests.

3. Plan The Test Case Scenarios

Test automation is an essential part of creating quality software products. It assures that all the required components of the software meet the expected standards.

Test cases help developers and testers identify possible risks and ensure that the software functions as expected.

Prior to conducting the test cases, an essential step is to figure out which cases should be automated and which ones should not. This will help you concentrate on the most significant aspects and save time.

Once the test cases are settled, devise a plan that explains how the automation scripts will be executed.

Automation testing should also cover regression testing since any changes to the system may affect its current functionality.

4. Prepare The Automation Testing Environment

Once the test cases are ready, it is time to get the testing environment ready. An automation testing environment is a set of automated tests and the configuration settings necessary to successfully run those tests.

It helps speed up testing in software development and can significantly reduce the cost and time associated with manual testing.

Automation testing included placing all the components required for successful testing together, like software, hardware, and other components.

Making sure the environment is stable and secure is of utmost importance. Then, the automation tool can be installed and configured. After that, the test cases are ready to be run.

5. Develop Test Data

For any test to be successful, test data is fundamental. Test data is used to ensure that the automated test scripts are working properly and that all scenarios, conditions, and results are being tested.

Test data can be anything from basic input, environmental settings, expected results, and more.

Automated testing necessitates data to be inputted into the system.

This data should be chosen and verified thoroughly to guarantee that it is applicable and appropriate for the test being implemented.

Without the right test data, the automation tool will not be able to simulate the user environment exactly.

It is essential to generate test data that covers all potential outcomes for the tests to be precise and dependable.

6. Execute Test Cases

Test automation is an integral part of any software development process, and test cases are a crucial component of automation testing.

Test cases involve the execution of tests on a program to ensure the program meets its requirements.

They are created with the help of automation software such as Selenium or Robot Framework.

Test cases can be used to test the functionality, usability, and security of a program. They can also help ensure that the program is stable and reliable for production use.

Once the test data is uploaded, the test cases can run automatically.

The test cases should be developed to examine the performance of the system, and the results should be compared to the desired outcome.

Automation testing helps reduce the expenditure and time used for manual testing, as the same tests can be run multiple times. Additionally, the automated results can be compared and evaluated efficiently.

Furthermore, automation testing guarantees the correctness and dependability of the software product, as only minimal manual intervention is needed.

7. Debug And Troubleshoot

Debugging is an essential part of the development process and can help prevent errors from ever reaching the customer or user.

Automation testing gives you a way to debug test cases quickly and efficiently, saving you time in the process.

You need to isolate the source of the bug and then identify the cause of the bug.

After that, you need to fix the bug and apply the fix. Then you need to re-run the test suite to make sure everything is working as expected.

Not only do you get more accurate results, but they are also dependable and consistent because of automation testing’s repeatable nature.

8. Analyse The Automation Testing Results

At the end of each automation test cycle, the outcomes are assessed to evaluate the system’s capabilities.

Doing so also helps unearth any software issues that may have gone unnoticed. Automation testing can recognize crucial errors that would have otherwise been overlooked in manual testing.

The results furthermore generate a reference point for potential changes and updates to the system that can be tested in future cycles. Automation testing results can be utilized to give feedback on the system’s performance and provide ideas on how to enhance it.

9. Update And Maintain The Automation Testing Scripts

Periodically updating and maintaining the test scripts are required to ensure they are up-to-date and accurate.

This may involve making modifications to the test scripts in response to changes in the application being tested.

Additionally, it ensures that the scripts are compatible with the latest version of the automation tool being used for testing.

Retesting all scripts after making any changes is also suggested to verify that the changes did not introduce any new bugs.

10. Monitor The Performance

It is vital to monitor the performance of the automation test suite regularly.

This would give the testers an idea of whether there are any bottlenecks that need to be addressed and the cases that are taking more time to execute.

Monitoring also provides insights into the automation test suite’s effectiveness. Additionally, it portrays whether the desired results are being achieved or not.

Bonus Tip: Script Maintenance

Maintenance of scripts is a key part of automation testing. No matter how nicely you manage automation testing, maintenance is inescapable if you want to expand the collection of reusable test scripts. It ensures accuracy and maintains the integrity of the test results.

Conclusion

To sum up, automation testing can be complex and intimidating, but with the right approach and the right tools, it can bring value to the organization by providing greater accuracy and consistency in testing. It can be a great way to streamline your workflow.

This article, “10-step guide to getting started with automation testing,” can be a great starting point for teams looking to streamline their testing process and reduce manual effort.

Hope this helps!

Related CTN News:

Motorola Defy Satellite Link: A Quick Guide

Top 8 Best Chromebook Photoshop Alternatives In 2023

How to Screenshot on Macbook? Step-by-Step Guide