How do you create a successful test automation strategy?

Test automation plays a strategic and crucial role in lowering costs of software development, reducing deployment time, enhancing efficiency and improving the quality of a software product or application. But, there are certain pitfalls in the automation testing approach as it may lead to wasted resources, if it is used incorrectly. For this specific purpose, a test automation strategy should be taken into perspective, which in turn helps in avoiding anti-patterns, prioritizing flows being identified and using the right cases for automation. In this article, you will get to know about the specific steps required to create a successful test automation strategy.

What is a test automation strategy?

A test automation strategy defines types of testing, testing levels, goals, scope, tools and test environment. Priorities are outlined pertaining to the general approach to automation.

Following are the steps required to create a successful test automation strategy:

1. The scope and goal needs to be defined: A test automation strategy requires a measurable and clear goal. Once a goal has been set, subsequent steps are taken towards reaching it. A simple goal might be where priority test cases being automated for critical flows.

2. Requirements are gathered: Stakeholders should hold a brainstorming session to discuss regarding KPIs, defining goals and automating priorities and then the testing requirements needs to be written down. The specific types of testing are outlined so that the requirements can be fulfilled accordingly.

3. The risks need to be identified: Specific areas needs to be identified and prioritized that have big business impact and then needs to be automated. A risk-based testing approach can be considered. The right prioritization will help in creating a logical order for automation. For example, unnecessary maintenance overheads will be created if low-priority tests are being optimized.

4. Test cases need to be picked for automation: Specific features and flows are outlined that requires automation. High-value business areas need to be focused upon and also consider the complexity and stability of the flows.

5. Test environment and test data should be defined: The test data management and environment is an important but an overlooked step of a test automation plan. Severe limitations are put by GDPR on the data you can use and using synthetic data is considered to be the best approach. For the purpose of easier maintenance, test data should be stored in external files.

6. The framework and technology needs to be picked: This depends on the project and team. For example, the team has experience in Java and Python then picking a framework that only supports JavaScript isn’t a good idea. Hence, framework and technology research needs to be carried out at this stage.

7. Progress need to be tracked: The testing work needs to be tracked accordingly. Following are a few points that can be considered:

The automation status needs to be tracked in your preferred test automation tool

Backlog needs to be created and progress work needs to be tracked in your ticket management system. The allocation work is made easier through this.

8. Reporting activity: The failed tests and reporting issues needs to be analysed and are considered to be crucial aspects of the automation process. Hence, the testing analysis should be done properly and all the finer aspects of the testing process should be captured in the form of reports in an understandable and systematic manner.

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing test automation for your specific project, then do get connected with a professionally acclaimed software testing services company that will provide you with a methodical testing roadmap that is in line with your project specific requirements.