A Beginner’s Short Guide to Test Automation

Last updated on September 28th, 2023 at 06:30 am

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If you are new to test automation, then you need to avoid making the same fatal mistakes that companies tend to. A test automation company begins with the basics, and even if development teams know test automation basics, they still value scripted tests as saving time by executing scripts automatically. If these scripts can execute faster than humans can, then more efficiency can be achieved by automating longer-running tests. But when it comes to ‘test execution’, it is a one-time activity. So QA teams should also think about the time it takes to write automated tests and the time required to learn how to write them. Teams can often succeed if they convert big tests into small and short ones. 

Dedicate Enough Time for Learning 

QA team’s learning test automation may move through various learning curves at the same time. Whether it is a new programming language, an automation framework, or collaboration on a software testing project, they need time to learn. It takes time to learn a concept and implement it practically. People cannot learn to write code in a week or get automation right on their first attempt. Keep your tests short so that teams can learn a few concepts, which will help increase their productivity. 

Keep Moving Forward

QA teams should not be forced to take huge steps. Make your first move a small one, and begin with short test cases. For instance, a small test can be for a new feature. You cannot get the perfect automation tool immediately or write the best test cases right away. Keep your teams motivated by letting them gain experience, progress by momentum, and begin with small wins, i.e., write short test cases. A test automation company makes sure that its teams are steering automation in the right direction. 

Testers Must Learn Multiple Skills

If a test case is long, the person writing it needs more complex features in automation tools. He will need to update his current skills to complete longer test cases. In the beginning, short test cases are good, but to make progress, testers need to move to longer ones. It helps in upgrading their skills and improving test automation. 

Automation is part of the Software Development Process

Test automation is a software development activity, and it is not easy to learn to program. Testers need to learn how to deal with difficult concepts, even if they are using codeless automation tools. Make sure your automation is in the form of stories in your sprints. Make them small so that it is easy to measure progress, iterate, and get feedback on them. If you get feedback on how your testers, developers, and other stakeholders are getting along with automation, then it will be easier to move forward. 

Conclusion

There are many benefits to writing small test cases, as testers learn faster. They gain momentum and get feedback frequently. This is why a test automation company should begin by writing small test cases.