
3 July 2024 Leave a comment QA
When managing a large suite of automated user acceptance tests, particularly as a product nears its next release, efficiency and strategy become crucial. Here, we will explore practical approaches to running these extensive tests and handling the inevitable bugs that arise.
Running Automated Tests
For large test suites that take an extensive amount of time to run, a strategic approach is essential. Here are some effective methods:
- Weekly Runs: If your tests can be run unattended, consider scheduling them over the weekend. This provides ample runtime and a break between runs to fix bugs and enhance automation.
- Deployment-Based Runs: Execute automation tests every time there is a deployment to the test environment. Adjust the number of test cases and machines used based on the deployment’s scope.
- Continuous Environment: If feasible, set up an environment where tests are constantly running. This ensures continuous validation and quick detection of issues.
Handling Bugs in Large Test Suites
Managing bugs in a large suite of tests requires a systematic approach. Here are key strategies to consider:
- Detailed Results: Ensure that test results include more than just pass/fail statuses. Include error messages, test actions, parameters, and version details to facilitate easy bug reproduction and logging.
- Grouping Results: Organize test results into features or categories. This helps in quickly identifying problematic areas and focusing efforts where they are most needed.
- Selective Execution: Post-deployment, hand-select key test cases that provide broad coverage across features. This helps in quickly identifying areas that need attention without running the entire suite.
Optimizing Test Coverage
Balancing test coverage and execution time is critical. Consider the following:
- High-Level Pass: After a major release, run a high-level pass with selected test cases to ensure broad coverage and quickly identify critical issues.
- Focus on Changes: Increase test coverage in areas that have recently changed or are historically unstable.
- Continuous Improvement: Regularly update and optimize your test cases to keep them in good working order as the application evolves.
Adopting Agile Testing Practices
For teams moving towards more frequent releases, adopting Agile testing practices can be highly beneficial:
- Agile Testing Pyramid: Focus on unit tests for most scenarios, reducing the reliance on long-running end-to-end tests.
- Behavior-Driven Development (BDD): Write end-to-end tests before the code is developed to ensure alignment with business requirements.
- Continuous Integration: Integrate automated tests into your CI pipeline to run tests with every commit, ensuring immediate feedback.
Enhancing Test Automation with Repeato
If you’re looking for a solution to streamline your test automation process, consider using Repeato. As a no-code test automation tool for iOS and Android, Repeato leverages computer vision and AI to create, run, and maintain automated tests efficiently. Its user-friendly interface allows for quick setup and execution, making it an ideal choice for quality assurance teams aiming to enhance their testing strategy.
For more information on setting up and optimizing your test automation processes, visit our documentation page.