Test automation can be a major asset to software development projects as teams are confronted with several factors of increasing complexity. These include the multiplication of devices and media (web, smartphone, tablet...), as well as a user experience that needs to be constantly enhanced. All of this results in a multitude of parameters to test during the software development life cycle that can overwhelm the bandwidth of QA teams. This is where test automation comes into play.
The importance of testing
Whether developing a banking application or creating an e-commerce site, the targeted functionalities and user stories translate into a large number of parameters to anticipate and test. Testing is not only an essential part of the development process, repeated in each sprint, it also requires its own dedicated phase.
Some types of tests are best performed by real testers, especially to reproduce different real-world conditions to evaluate how the application functions on different devices (smartphone, tablet, computer), different operating systems, browsers, or even different networks (3G, Wi-Fi, 5G.)
Also, at least now, humans remain the best option for evaluating the user experience (UX): intuitive navigation, clear instructions, etc. This is why StarDust CTG Group has created two testing labs dedicated to QA and user acceptance testing (UAT) that leverage ISTQB-certified testers with real devices. Nonetheless, manual testing does have its limits, especially in the context of Agile and DevOps projects. This is why a rigorous testing strategy requires automation tools to complement the capabilities of manual testing.
Automated and manual testing: compliments, not competitors
This notion of complementarity is essential. Indeed, automated tests are not intended to replace manual tests but to take over simple and/or easily configurable tasks. The many repetitive tests to be implemented include: non-regression tests, which are integrated into each sprint of the development process and reproduce thousands of operations; data-oriented tests, to evaluate the same function using different sets of data; tests that are by definition impossible to execute manually, such as simulating the simultaneous use of thousands of promotional codes by users of an e-commerce site or a spike in the number of connections in a banking application.
All these tests can be run continuously, 24 hours a day. This results in numerous benefits, starting with faster development phases where the possibility of human error on repeated operations is eliminated, while allowing teams to focus on higher value-added tasks.
Benefits that ripple throughout the organization
Is there a lack of in-house knowledge or expertise? Test automation is overlooked by many companies and organizations who underestimate the extent of the benefits associated with well-executed and properly conducted automation. In the absence of in-house expertise on the subject, it is obviously recommended to call on experts to avoid wasting time on critical digital projects.
For example, automation tools can be used to understand the functional combinatorics of test cases: testing combinations of functions and complex processes based on several functionalities.
Furthermore, automating the right functional tests combined with correctly targeted manual tests enables teams to secure the critical aspects of the application. This in turn also ensures continuous improvement with shorter and more rigorous development and test phases, which helps to reduce the product’s time-to-market.
Infographic: 4 Ways to Align Test Automation with Agile Development
All these examples reflect the importance of test automation in Agile and DevOps projects to quickly integrate new tools. The maintainability of test cases also supports a solutions or product’s sustainability, provided that the automated test assets are properly maintained. This is why it is important to have a targeted automation strategy and to set up common processes for different teams.
Supporting test phases with a QA partner
Finally, the exhaustiveness of automated tests allows you to identify sources of potential failures or bugs to fix them before deployment, which is key to offering a high-quality user experience. To do this, it is necessary to surround yourself with a team of experts capable of accompanying you throughout your project and understanding all the issues at stake.
With over 10 years in the QA industry, StarDust CTG Group partners with companies across several industries to implement and optimize their test automation strategy. To learn more about test automation, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Ask for a quote
Other Publications that might interest you
