5 Crucial Tactics For Automation Testing

Testing is an integral part of a software development project. It ensures that the software does what it’s supposed to do. It’s also a necessary step for any software product to be released. 

Automation testing is one of the most important and widely used test methodologies in the software development process. Automation testing is about using the computer to do the testing for you. It’s designed to automate repetitive tasks. It focuses on software testing, but the techniques have been used in other fields, like medical testing.

Automation Testing is a broad term, but it is a part of a test strategy where software is used to execute tests. Implementing automation testing when you have a high load on any platform is very important. Automation testing is getting priority due to its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and reliability. 

This blog will shed light on different aspects of Automation Testing and how developers can use automation testing tactics to improve the software development process.

What is Automation Testing?

Automation Testing is the process of using software to execute tests to validate the functionalities of a software or application. It can be used to test applications, websites, and other software systems. Automation testing is a blanket term that covers various testing processes and tools. Here are some automation testing examples that clarify why it is crucial.

One example of why automation testing is essential is when you need to test many data points. For instance, if you are testing a web application, you might need to test how the application behaves when different users input different data types. Automation testing can help you quickly generate many test cases and ensure that all the data points are covered.

Another example of why automation testing is essential is when you need to test complex workflows. For instance, if you are testing a financial application, you should test how the application behaves when a user makes a purchase, pays a bill, or transfers money between accounts. Automation testing can help you quickly generate test cases for all the different workflows and ensure they all work correctly.

Another example is when changes are made to the code or application, you can quickly run tests to see if everything works correctly with the new changes. Automation also helps with catching bugs that might not be found manually.

In short, automation testing is essential because it can help you quickly generate many test cases, cover all the data points, test complex workflows, and save time and resources. Automation testing is a valuable tool for any tester!

Essential Phases of automation testing

• Reconnaissance

The first phase of automation testing is reconnaissance. The tester assesses the application under test to determine which areas are suited for automation. This assessment includes the application’s architecture, functionality, and workflow. Based on this information, the tester can create a plan for automating the testing process.

• Planning

The second phase of automation testing is planning. In this phase, the tester creates a detailed plan for how the automated testing will be carried out. This plan includes selecting the right tools, designing the test scripts, and scheduling the tests.

• Implementation

In this phase, the tester writes the test scripts and sets up the test environment. This environment includes the hardware and software required to run the tests.

• Execution

The test scripts are run in this phase, and the results are compared to the expected results. If there are any discrepancies, the tester investigates and reports them. The results of the tests can be used to introspect and improve the quality of the software.

• Maintenance

In this phase, the tester updates the test scripts and environment. This helps to ensure that the automated tests are up-to-date and accurate. 

• Reporting

The final phase of automation testing is reporting. Testers analyze the test results in this phase and generate reports summarizing the findings. Developers can use the information to assess the software’s quality and identify areas that need further improvement.

There are various types of reports that developers can generate, depending on the needs of the organization. For example, a report might focus on the number of defects found or provide details on each defect, including when it was detected and how it was resolved. Information can also be used to track the testing process’s progress and identify trends over time.

Generating reports is essential to automation testing, as it allows organizations to make informed decisions about their software development process. 

By analyzing the reports, testers can provide valuable insights that can help improve the quality of the software. Additionally, reports can help identify areas for further improvement, ultimately leading to a more successful software development process.

5 Crucial Tactics For Automation Testing

Automation testing is an indispensable part of any software development process. As a tool, automation testing is necessary to speed up the testing process and to provide accurate, repeatable results. However, there still needs to be more clarity about implementing automation testing correctly. 

Here are five crucial tactics to ensure your automation testing process is successful. These are:

• Determine the areas of the application that are most important to test

Automation testing should focus on those areas most important to the business. For example, if an e-commerce site primarily sells clothing, the checkout process would be a key area to automate.

When automating the checkout process for an e-commerce site, it is essential to consider the various user flows that could take place. For example, users might add items to their cart, then proceed to the checkout page and enter their shipping information. 

Alternatively, users might add items to their cart and then continue shopping, adding more items to their cart before proceeding to checkout. In either case, the automation testing should cover all possible user flows to ensure a smooth and successful checkout experience for all users.

Some key areas to consider when automating the checkout process include the following:

1. Validating that all required fields are present and correctly labeled.
2. Ensuring that inputting data into fields such as shipping information or credit card number works as expected.
3. Checking that error messages are displayed correctly if any required fields are left blank or invalid data is entered into a field.
4. Verifying that users are directed to the correct page after completing the checkout process.
5. Testing the functionality of any special features or promotions offered during checkouts, such as a discount code box or upsells.

By covering all these areas, automation testers can help ensure a positive and seamless experience for users when they are ready to purchase items from an e-commerce site.

Automation testing should focus on those areas most important to the business. For example, if the company is concerned about customer satisfaction, automation testing should focus on customer service or checkout areas. If the business worries about efficiency, automation testing should focus on areas like the order fulfillment process.

Another example could be if a company/business is selling a product that needs to meet specific safety standards. In this case, testers would want to focus on automating tests for functionality related to safety features. This would help ensure that the product meets all required safety standards before it goes to market.

By focusing on those areas most important to the business, automation testers can ensure that the company gets the most value out of its investment in automation testing. By doing so, they can help companies to save time and money.

• Identify which tests can be automated

Not all tests can or should be automated. Some examples of tests that cannot be automated are exploratory, usability, and certain types of security testing.

Here are some examples of tests that cannot be automated:

• Exploratory Testing

Exploratory testing is more open-ended. This testing type is where testers can explore the application and find bugs. This type of testing cannot be automated because it requires creative thinking and intuition on the tester’s part. 

The tester needs to understand the system under test, generate test ideas, and execute tests. This type of testing is best suited for experienced testers who can think on their feet and adapt to varying conditions.

One example of exploratory testing is trying to break the system. The tester would try different inputs and combinations of information to see if they could find any bugs. Another example is when a new feature is released, and the tester would need to understand how the new feature works and its impact on the system. They would then generate test ideas based on their understanding and execute those tests.

• Usability Testing

This type of testing assesses how easy it is for users to use the software. Usability testing is often done with real users, making it hard to automate. It can be challenging to automate all aspects of the testing process. 

For example, it may take a lot of work to automate setting up the test environment or conducting the actual usability test. Additionally, real users may provide feedback that is difficult to replicate with automated tests. As a result, automation testers need to be aware of these limitations when planning their testing strategy.

• Security Testing

Some security tests, such as penetration tests, require manual intervention to exploit system vulnerabilities. Security tests exploit system vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive data or systems. Therefore, they cannot be automated.

In conclusion, not all tests can or should be automated—some types of testing, such as exploratory, usability, and security testing, are best done manually.

Automation testing is a powerful tool that can save time and improve the accuracy of results for many types of tests. However, it is essential to understand the limitations of automation and when it is best to use manual testing instead.

3. Create a test automation strategy

A good automation strategy will define how and when automation will be used and what sorts of tests will be automated. For example, a typical use case for test automation is regression testing. This is where automation can quickly run through a suite of tests to ensure that there have been no regressions in the software under test.

Another use case for automation is functional testing. This is where tests are automated to ensure that the software’s functionality works as expected. The key here is to define what types of tests will be automated and when they will be executed. By doing this, you can be sure that your automation efforts focus on the areas with the most impact.

In addition to defining how and when automation will be used, a good automation strategy will also consider the tools used for automation. Various tools are available on the market, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right tool for the strategy is essential, as using the wrong tool can lead to sub-optimal results.

Finally, a good automation strategy should also consider the people responsible for implementing and maintaining the automation. Automation is not a static process; it requires ongoing maintenance and upkeep. Having a plan for who will be responsible for this can help ensure that the automation process is smooth and effective.

By defining a good automation strategy, you can ensure that your automation efforts focus on the areas with the most impact. By doing this, you can also avoid many of the pitfalls that can occur when automating software testing.

• Continuously monitor your automation efforts

Automation is not a set-it-and-forget-it proposition. It’s essential to continuously monitor your automation efforts to ensure they are still effective and efficient.

For example, suppose you’re using an automated testing tool to test a web application. In that case, you’ll need to monitor the tests’ results to ensure that the application is still functioning correctly. If you’re using an automated testing tool to test a database, you’ll need to monitor the results of the tests to ensure that the data is still accurate and up-to-date. 

Monitoring your automation efforts will help you identify any issues with your tests so that you can fix them before they cause problems in your production environment. Continuous monitoring of your automation testing efforts is essential to ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of your tests. 

So, what should you look for when you’re monitoring your automation tests? Here are a few examples:

1. Are the tests still running as expected?
2. Do the tests still cover the same areas of the application?
3. Do the tests still produce the same results?
4. Do the tests still take the same amount of time to run?

Suppose you notice any changes in how your tests are running. In that case, it’s essential to investigate further to determine whether those changes are due to changes in the application or problems with the test itself. By monitoring your automation tests regularly, you can ensure they are still effective and efficient.

Monitoring your automation testing is essential to maintaining a successful testing process. You can identify issues early by continuously monitoring your test results and preventing them from causing problems later. So remember to keep an eye on your tests, even after they are up and running!

• Create modular and reusable scripts

Automation scripts should be modular and reusable for multiple testing scenarios. This means that the scripts should be divided into smaller, self-contained units that can be reused in different contexts. 

For example, a script that tests the login function of a website can be divided into two modules: one that tests the input fields and one that tests the submission button. These modules can then be reused in other scripts that test different parts of the website. This makes the automation process more efficient and saves time in the long run.

Another advantage of modularity is that it makes it easier to debug scripts. If a script fails, it is often easier to identify the problem if it is contained in a small, self-contained module. This is because there are fewer parts to troubleshoot. Modularity also makes it easier to update scripts as new features are added to the website or application under test.

In short, modularity is a crucial advantage of automation testing. It makes scripts more efficient and easier to debug and update. Modularity is achieved by breaking scripts down into small, self-contained modules.

Let’s say you are testing a website that has a submission form. A modular script for this would have a separate module for each form element. One module would test the input field, and another would test the submit button, and so on. 

This approach is more efficient than having one large script that tests everything simultaneously. It is also easier to reuse individual modules in other scripts. For instance, the module that tests the input field could be reused in another script that tests a different form on the same website.

Modularity can also be applied to data-driven testing. In this type of testing, data is separated from the actual test script. This makes it easy to update the data without making changes to the script itself. 

For example, if you want to test a form with different data sets, you can simply create a new data file and use the same script. This saves time and effort because you don’t have to create a new script for each data set.

In summary, modularity is a powerful tool that can make your automation scripts more efficient and reusable. Which approach is best depends on your specific needs? Generally, it’s a good idea to aim for modularity and reuse whenever possible.  

By following these five tactics, you can ensure that your automation testing is effective and efficient.

Getting Started with automation testing on the LambdaTest Platform

Selenium is a difficult tool to learn and use. You have to know: JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and what the heck is a DOM anyway? You know there is a better way for you to automate testing. You know that if you could only get away from coding your automation, you’d be more productive.

LambdaTest is the better way. Less time coding, more time testing. LambdaTest is a faster, cheaper, and simpler cross-browser testing platform that performs an in-depth analysis of the product under test. You can use it to test your web apps, mobile apps, and websites against over 3000+ browsers.

LambdaTest is the only cloud-based Selenium testing service that helps you launch a Parallel Selenium Grid instantly on AWS or Azure. It helps you start testing your website with any browser of your choice in just 10 seconds.

Local automated browser testing

Using the local Selenium Grid is a quick and easy way to fulfill your testing requirements. Using the local Selenium Grid, you can run tests on different browser and operating system versions without setting up multiple virtual machines.

You can get started with test automation using Selenium on your local machine by downloading and installing the appropriate browser driver for the browser on which you want to run your test.

Automated browser testing using remote Selenium Grid

As an automation engineer, you know that running the same Selenium script multiple times can lead to slow tests, flaky tests, and poor test maintenance. 

When you need to run tests against hundreds of combinations of browsers and operating systems, you will put your project in slow motion, and nobody likes slow projects.

With LambdaTest’s grid-based capabilities, you can run your Selenium scripts on any combination of virtual and cloud-based testing environments—all at the same time.

Running your Selenium tests on the LambdaTest grid means more real browsers, more real browsers mean more reliable tests, more reliable tests mean less maintenance, less maintenance means happy teammates, and happy teammates mean more time to spend on higher-value software development activities.

1. To get started with LambdaTest, you must create an account on the LambdaTest Platform. 
2. Once your LambdaTest account is created, you will be able to find your username and access key under the LambdaTest Profile section. 
3. The LambdaTest Dashboard is a valuable tool that will provide you with all of the necessary information about your tests and their logs. It will also show the status of any currently running tests and allow you to view video recordings of any previous tests. 
4. Another helpful tool LambdaTest offers is the Capabilities Generator. This tool can be used to generate the capabilities for any browser on any platform, making cross-browser testing a breeze.

Conclusion

Automation testing plays a vital role in the software development process. Automation testing is the next level of testing that allows developers to test the entire application, system, and infrastructure to ensure that the application works as expected. 

By following the five tactics outlined in this article, you can ensure that your automation testing is as effective as possible. Thanks for reading!