There are several reasons to use automated tests for software quality control. The benefits are obvious: automated tests are more thorough and often cover defects before they appear in production. Further, automated tests can identify holes in a test automation suite and help catch similar defects in the future. However, as with all other testing methods, the more automated tests you have, the higher the chance they will find a defect. Consequently, a higher percentage of automated tests can disguise a defect, especially if your testing environment has many problems.
In addition, automated tests can duplicate almost any manual test. To determine which tests to automate, you will need to collaborate with developers, business stakeholders, and testers. While this can be time-consuming, it can be well worth it in the end. By eliminating manual tests, your team can concentrate on developing the most valuable software and releasing it to market faster. In addition, automated tests allow you to see how the changes to your system will affect your users right away.
When implementing test automation, it’s crucial to understand your business and product. A tester’s unique perspective on a system helps them understand what the user is trying to do. The best way to do this is to pair them with the developers and make them responsible for creating automated tests. If you’re working with a remote team, screen sharing tools are helpful in this regard. In addition to automated tests, you’ll also benefit from testers’ broader perspective, which helps you define which tests need to be automated.
Continuous testing contributes to rapid feedback for developers, a short time from check-in to release, and a low error rate in production environments. Developers can validate their work within minutes, and fix bugs faster. In the diagram below, an example of a simple test automation pipeline is shown. The green line indicates no problems, while red means problems. By incorporating test automation into the development process, you’ll be able to detect and fix errors before they become serious.
Assuming that your software is a complex product, the next step is determining which methods are most effective for your business. For example, some companies use exploratory testing and ad hoc testing techniques to determine what works best. Ultimately, your goal should be to meet the customer’s expectations. For software quality, you should have measurable metrics that are easy to read and effective for workflow. The CISQ Software Quality Model lays out four key aspects of software quality.
Creating an automated testing pipeline for software requires respect for all team members. The team members must be on the same page as each other. The team should work well together, respect each other, and collaborate with each other. In addition to the importance of data, the use of test automation tools will also ensure faster implementation and better quality. In addition to the benefits of automated testing, these tools also reduce the need for manual testing. If you are planning to use automation, then you should consider a cloud-based test automation solution called Subject7.