How to Build a Test Automation Strategy?

Test automation greatly helps in saving time and resources and also dramatically improving the processes, which in turn leads to a high-quality software product. But, automation cannot be directly implemented without much thought and judgement. There should be a clear strategy put in place that can optimally improve the test automation activities and for this purpose, there is a definite need to build a test automation strategy. In this article, you will get to know the steps required to build a test automation strategy.

Following are the five steps required to build a test automation strategy:

1. Define the automation scope: Following are the two important points that need to be considered while defining the automation scope:

1.1: The test cases that need to be automated should be shortlisted: The concept of the ‘Test Automation Pyramid’ can be applied. According to this pyramid, unit tests can be written quickly. Unit tests form an important part of the automation testing strategy as they provide the highest ROI (Return on Investment). The next priority should be to focus on regression tests.

The functionality should be checked along with checking other quality aspects using the functional testing approach. Then UI (User Interface) tests should be focused and worked upon.

1.2: The right automation testing tool should be selected: The project requirements and scope should be thoroughly understood by the team so that they can make a firm decision while selecting the right automation tool. The budget should also be taken into consideration.

2. A proper environment for conducting test automation activities: Following are a few key points that need to be pondered and worked upon while setting up a test automation environment:

·       The requirements of the test environment should be identified

·       Then, the required tools along with their licenses should be acquired

·       The data that is part of test cases should be considered such as the test data that needs to be stored and after the testing, the situation of data should be analyzed.

3. Analyzing the risks: Following are a few key parameters that need to be taken into consideration while creating a risk document:

·       Cost estimate – The cost of risk mitigation

·       Mitigation – Specific actions that need to be taken in order to mitigate the risks

·       Probability – The probability of a risk being turned into a reality

·       Risk level – What if the risk becomes a reality and the cost of its impact on the project

·       Description – A detailed description of the risk.

The risk document is dynamic, which means that the risks can be removed and added to the list as the software development project evolves.

4. Managing and executing tests: The process of managing and executing test cases should be properly defined. The day-to-day tasks and procedures should be outlined by the test execution process. Following are a few suggestions that need to be considered while executing test cases:

·       Use a scheduling tool or a pipeline orchestrator (TeamCity, Bamboo, TFS, Jenkin etc.,) so that test cases can be executed in parallel

·       Before automated test cases are added to the regression suite, verify and run multiple times to make sure they run as expected

·       A set of best practices need to be defined so that test cases become change resistant in the particular system that is being automated.

5. Analyzing failure and document results: There should be a specific plan so that the failed test cases can be analyzed and resolved accordingly. It often takes time for a failure to be notified. For this, a well-defined process should be put in place by the concerned team. All the test results along with the key information on test automation strategy should be gathered and documented. This will in turn help in further enhancing the overall performance of the test automation strategy.

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing automation testing services for your specific project, then do get connected with a reliable software testing services company that will provide you with a well-defined testing strategy that is in line with your project specific requirements.

About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.