How Automated Testing can Increase Test Efficiency

Automating Testing has a significant role in the lifecycle of software development. Unlike the traditional method of manual testing that is performed by humans and involves careful execution of the test steps, the Automation Testing utilizes automation tools to execute the test case suite. When the test suite is automated, it requires no further human intervention, which can have many advantages.

However, the process still begins with the professional testers writing the test scripts. So, it’s not completely void of human involvement after all. The testers usually utilize a set of software tools to develop the test scripts, which are deployed in a series together to create a test suite. Subsequently, this test case suite is executed using an automation tool to test the given application.

Once deployed, the automated testing process performs various testing activities on its own, such as entering the test data into the System that is being subjected to the Test. It can also compare the ensuing results against the expected results, and calculate the difference. Finally, based on the observations, it can also generate detailed test reports on its own.

How can Automated Testing add value?

A software application has to be tested each time before a new release. It means, be it a minor change such elementary bug fixes or significant modifications such as the addition of new features, the changes made have to be tested thoroughly. It also means, retained functionalities of the software from its previous releases also have to be tested.

However, when the number of versions of the application is few, and the total numbers of changes are not many, the process of manual testing can be carried out with ease. But, when the software application has gone through too many changes, then the total number of functionalities right from its first release can be too much to handle through manual testing. For this reason alone, automated testing can be the right option. In addition, the process can be much more accurate and efficient, which would increase the efficacy of the overall testing process. Moreover, when the software releases are carried out frequently, the amount spent on Automated Testing can be brought down the overall cost of the process. Discussed below are some of its advantages.

• Surge in Productivity: There are software applications with complex cross-functional features. These have a massive scope that can span multiple domains and thousands of users. So, testing their performance on various accounts can be highly challenging. It’s because the task of keying the test data using the numerous test accounts to monitor the monitor the applications’ performance can be overwhelming. This can also put enormous stress on resources when performed manually. By, using the automation testing mechanism, even the massive applications can be tested for accuracy with fewer resources and within the stipulated time, which can lead to an increase in the overall productivity.

• Improved Quality and consistency: Computers running high-quality testing tools are the bedrock of mechanization of the testing process. As the human intervention in the process is kept to minimal, the probability of human errors would also decrease drastically, which leads to boost in the quality and consistency of the final product.

• Decrease in Redundancy and Cost: Unlike manual testing, the automated process is performed in a sequence by machines at incredible speeds. As the process is carried out in a sequence, the chance of repeating a given task is almost negligible. It means, there is no scope for repetitive work, which can lead to an elimination of redundancy.
Also, as the activity is performed at lightning speeds, with increased accuracy, the overall time and resources spent on carrying out the tests are drastically reduced, which also brings down the cost.

Moreover, automation testing can be quite beneficial while GUI is same, but there are many and frequent functional changes. Through this, codes changes or changes in functions can be tested thoroughly as well as quickly and with much more accuracy. Also, by recording the test suite, it can be re-played as, and when required, the expenses on resources can be controlled considerably. Thus, through automated testing, the objective of testing the software to increase its efficiency can be achieved with far more dividends, and it can add value to the overall initiative.