16 July 2024 Leave a comment QA
Deciding which tests to automate in your software development process can be challenging. With numerous factors to consider, it’s essential to develop a strategic approach to maximize the benefits of test automation. In this guide, we will explore practical methods to determine the best candidates for test automation.
Key Criteria for Test Automation
When evaluating whether to automate a test, consider the following criteria:
- Repetitiveness: Tests that are repetitive and need to be run frequently are prime candidates for automation. Automating these tests can save a significant amount of time and effort.
- Simplicity: Tests that are straightforward and have predictable outcomes are easier to automate and maintain.
- Stability: Automate tests for stable parts of the application. If the application module is unstable, the effort in automation might be wasted.
- Time-Saving: Automating tests that take a long time to execute manually can free up resources for more complex and exploratory testing.
- Deterministic Results: Tests that consistently yield pass/fail results without false positives or negatives are ideal for automation.
Return on Investment (ROI) Considerations
Performing a quick ROI analysis can help you make informed decisions about which tests to automate. Ask yourself the following questions:
- User Impact: What will the impact be on the user if this code fails?
- Failure Probability: How likely is it that this code will fail in the wild?
- Frequency of Change: How often is this code expected to change after release?
- Automation Effort: How long will it take to automate this test?
- Manual Testing Effort: How long does it take to test this manually?
Practical Examples
Let’s look at some practical examples to illustrate these concepts:
- Regression Tests: If you spend several days on manual regression testing for each release, automating these tests can significantly reduce the time and effort required.
- Transactional Tests: For applications like point of sale systems where transactions are critical, automating transactional tests ensures accuracy and reliability.
- Setup Tasks: Automate utility test cases that need to be executed frequently to create setups, such as creating an order before testing multiple modules.
Conclusion
Deciding which tests to automate is not a one-size-fits-all solution. By considering the criteria and performing a quick ROI analysis, you can make informed decisions that best suit your application’s needs and your team’s resources.
For those looking for an efficient and user-friendly solution to automate tests for mobile applications, consider using Repeato. Repeato is a no-code test automation tool for iOS and Android that leverages computer vision and AI to create, run, and maintain automated tests quickly and easily. This tool is particularly beneficial for quality assurance teams looking to streamline their testing processes without extensive coding requirements.
For more information on test automation strategies and tools, check out our related articles:
- Effective Strategies for Managing Large Automated Test Suites
- Transitioning from Manual to Automated Testing: A Comprehensive Guide
- Boosting the Effectiveness of Automated UI Tests: A Comprehensive Guide
Like this article? there’s more where that came from!
- Resolving the “xcrun: error: invalid active developer path” Error on macOS
- Adding Existing Frameworks in Xcode 4: A Comprehensive Guide
- Disabling ARC for a Single File in Xcode: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Resolving the Xcode-Select Active Developer Directory Error
- Resolving the “Multiple Commands Produce” Error in Xcode 10