Test Automation ROI
Intro
Test automation is concept that sounds fancy but can be dangerous to dive into without a proper understanding. Should you automate your tests or should you not? How can you assess the return on investment (ROI) on test automation? Let’s have a look!
What is Test Automation?
Let’s start by understanding what test automation is in the first place. According to the ISQTB Test Automation Engineer Syllabus test automation, which includes automated test execution and test reporting, is one or more of the following activities:
- Using purpose-built software tools to control and set up test suites for test execution
- Executing tests in an automated way
- Comparing actual results to expected results
Test automation can vary in scope depending on the use case. It can be as simple as setting up the preconditions for test cases automatically, which can often be the most time-consuming part of test execution, or it can mean fully automating the execution of tests, possibly combined with manual verification. Understanding which type of automation will bring true business value is essential before diving head-first into automation.
Advantages of Test Automation
Test automation offers numerous advantages, including:
- Increased Test Coverage: Allows more tests to be run per build compared to manual tests.
- Complex Testing: Enables the execution of tests that are too complex to perform manually.
- Speed: Executes tests faster than manual testing.
- Reduced Human Error: Minimizes the likelihood of errors that can occur with manual testing.
- Resource Efficiency: Utilizes test resources more effectively and efficiently.
- Quick Feedback: Provides faster feedback regarding software quality.
- Improved Reliability: Enhances system reliability, including availability and recoverability.
- Consistency: Ensures consistent test execution across test cycles.
Disadvantages of Test Automation
It’s important to be aware of potential disadvantages, including:
- Initial Investment Costs: Additional costs for hiring a test automation engineer, purchasing new hardware, and setting up training.
- Maintenance Costs: Takes time to develop and maintain the test automation solution.
- Clear Objectives Needed: Requires clear test automation objectives to ensure success.
- Rigidity: Automated tests can be less adaptable to changes in the software.
- Potential New Defects: Automation can introduce new defects.
Limitations of Test Automation
Next to the disadvantages it is important to be aware of the current limitations of test automation technology, such as:
- Not All Tests Can Be Automated: Some manual tests cannot be automated.
- Limited Verification: Automation verifies only what tests are programmed to check.
- Quality Characteristics: Some quality characteristics may not be testable with automation.
Evaluation of Test Automation Strategies
Considering the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations, we can intuitively evaluate whether it’s worth investing in test automation. Here is how to do an efficient evaluation:
Gather Requirements
The requirements for a test automation approach and architecture should always be discussed with the relevant project stakeholder, but should consider the following:
- Which test process activities should be automated, (e.g., test management, test design, test generation, and test execution)
- Which test levels and test types should be supported
- Which test roles and skill sets should be supported
- Which software products, product lines and families should be supported (to define the span and lifetime of the implemented test automation solution)
- Maintainability and learnability of the test automation solution
- Integration of the test automation solution into the current system
- Availability of test data and its quality
- Possible methods and ways to emulate unreachable cases (e.g., 3rd party applications involved)
Conduct a Test Automation Pilot
After gathering requirements, conduct a pilot using tools that meet most of these requirements. Integrate the solution and existing code into the CI/CD pipeline during the pilot. This helps expose issues early, whether in the software, the test automation solution, or the integration of different tools.
Evaluate non-technical aspects during the pilot, such as:
- Team knowledge and experience.
- Team structure.
- Licensing and organizational rules.
- Planned testing types and targeted test levels.
Once the pilot is complete, evaluate the effort with test automation engineers and managers to assess success or failure. Calculate long-term ROI based on the pilot to determine if further investment in test automation is worthwhile and align stakeholder expectations.
Summary
Test automation can seem appealing, but it’s crucial to assess whether it will provide the expected ROI for your specific use case.
At Fuserwise, we offer comprehensive testing competencies to meet your needs. Introducing manual testing or test automation from scratch has never been easier. Our experience ensures smooth and efficient transitions from manual QA processes to automation as your product scales. There is no need to hire or train employees for this switch, as our solutions enable a quick and easy transition between different testing needs. Don’t hesitate to book a technical call with us to pre-assess whether test automation could bring you the desired ROI.
