Introduction
Improving your Test Automation Solution (TAS) can bring about a range of benefits, including increased efficiency, better ease of use, additional capabilities, and enhanced support for testing activities. In this article, I will present 14 steps to continuously improve your TAS, featuring the benefits that will add the most value to the project.
1. Scripting
One of the primary areas for improvement in TAS is scripting. Effective scripting can significantly reduce manual intervention and streamline the testing process. Here are some strategies to enhance scripting:
Assess Test Case Overlap:- Consolidate automated tests by identifying and removing overlaps in test cases, steps, and procedures.
- Establish robust error recovery processes for both the TAS and the System Under Test (SUT) to handle unexpected failures efficiently.
- Hard-coded Waits: Fixed time delays, though often inefficient.
- Dynamic Waiting by Polling: Continuously checking for a condition to be met.
- Event Mechanisms of the SUT: Subscribing to events that trigger actions when specific conditions are met.
- Apply software development principles to testware to enhance its maintainability and scalability.
- Regularly review and revise existing scripts to eliminate redundancies and improve performance.
2. Test Execution
Optimizing test execution can lead to significant time savings and increased test coverage:
Remove Duplication:- Identify and eliminate duplicated test cases to streamline the testing process.
- Execute tests concurrently on different systems to speed up the overall testing cycle.
3. Verification
Standardizing verification methods can enhance the reliability and consistency of test results:
Standard Verification Methods:- Adopt a set of standard verification methods for use across all automated tests to ensure uniformity and reduce errors.
4. Architecture
Improving the architecture of the TAS can enhance its scalability and flexibility:
Architectural Changes:- Modify the TAS architecture to support improvements in the testability of the SUT, making it easier to identify and fix issues.
5. Pre- and Post-Processing
Setting up and tearing down the test environment efficiently is crucial for smooth test execution:
Setup and Teardown:- Implement automated setup and teardown processes to prepare the test environment and clean up afterward, ensuring consistency and reliability.
6. Documentation
Maintaining comprehensive and up-to-date documentation is essential for the effective management and execution of automated tests:
Detailed Documentation:- Ensure that all aspects of the TAS, including scripts, test cases, and processes, are well-documented to facilitate easy maintenance and updates.
7. TAS Features
Only add new features to the TAS when they provide clear value:
Useful Features:- Introduce new features only when they are genuinely needed and will be utilized, avoiding unnecessary complexity.
8. TAS Updates and Upgrades
Managing updates and upgrades to the TAS requires careful planning to avoid disruptions:
Risk Management:- Be aware that updates may impact existing test cases. To mitigate risks, use sample tests before rolling out new versions to ensure compatibility and stability.
9. Identify Changes in the Test Environment Components
Understanding the changes in the test environment is critical for planning improvements:
Component Changes:- Identify changes in testware, libraries, operating systems, etc., and assess their impact.
- Conduct a full regression run to validate that changes do not adversely affect the automated scripts.
10. Increase Efficiency and Effectiveness
Enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of core TAS function libraries is key to successful automation:
Incorporate New Techniques:- Integrate new techniques into the core function libraries used by the project and across all projects.
11. Target Multiple Functions for Consolidation
Consolidating functions that act on the same control type can reduce maintenance efforts:
Consolidation:- Aim to achieve the same results while minimizing the maintenance requirement by targeting multiple functions.
12. Refactor TAA to Accommodate Changes
Refactoring the Test Automation Architecture (TAA) to accommodate changes in the SUT is crucial:
Architectural Analysis:- Avoid bolt-on extensions. Instead, analyze and implement changes at the architectural level to ensure a robust automated solution.
13. Naming Conventions and Standardization
Consistency in naming conventions and standardization across the TAS is essential:
Consistent Naming:- Establish and adhere to consistent naming conventions to improve clarity and maintainability.
14. Evaluate Existing Scripts for Revision/Elimination
Regular evaluation of existing scripts is necessary to keep the TAS efficient:
Script Evaluation:- Decompose complex and time-consuming tests into smaller, more manageable tests to enhance viability and efficiency.
Summary
By following these steps, you can significantly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your test automation systems, ensuring high-quality software delivery and robust testing processes.