You're not sure if your software testing automation is up to date. How can you tell?

It's very crucial for maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of your testing processes. some of points to work during evaluation of it. - Verify the versions of libraries and dependencies used in your automation scripts. - Verify that automation scripts are compatible with the latest versions of the targets.( OS, Browsers, Devices) - Verify and update the test cases to reflect changes in application features, requirements, and user expectations. - Verify the test execution logs for any warnings or errors. - Verify the effort required for maintaining your automated tests. - Verify the deprecated methods or functions in current version Replace them with updated alternatives. - Verify CI/CD pipelines to ensure triggering automated tests.

Regularly conducting code reviews, monitoring CI/CD build logs, checking for updates to libraries and dependencies and reviewing commit logs are essential practices for identifying potential gaps in an implemented automation framework. These practices contribute to the overall health, effectiveness and reliability of the automation framework which helps teams deliver high-quality software.

In my experience,keeping the software testing automation up to date requires maintainance and updates to the code to support the latest versions of the software you are using. Having QA resources with experience in Automation and dedicated team members for automation helps with automation maintenance. A properly built automation framework in the initial phase is another factor which causes automation to work in the long run. Lacking in these factors affect the efficiency and continuity of the software testing automation.

As a SDET/QA engineer, maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of testing processes is critical. Some of points to work during evaluation of it. -Verify the compatibility of automation scripts with the latest versions of targets like operating systems, browsers, and devices. -Update test cases to reflect changes in application features, requirements, and user expectations. -Review test execution logs for any warnings or errors. -Assess the effort needed to maintain automated tests. -Identify and replace deprecated methods or functions with updated alternatives. -Verify CI/CD pipelines to ensure automated test triggering. -Regularly conducting code reviews, monitoring CI/CD build logs, checking for updates to libraries

To ensure your software testing automation is up to date, review tool documentation, use the latest versions, stay informed about industry trends, engage with the testing community, update scripts, run a test suite, assess performance, provide training, check tool integration, and foster a culture of continuous improvement

Desde mi perspectiva, determinar si la automatización de pruebas está o no actualizada, implica centrarse en la coherencia y claridad de los resultados obtenidos. La detección de inconsistencias o falta de claridad podría indicar posibles problemas, por lo que es importante hacer una revisión y posibles ajustes de los scripts. Además, es esencial revisar el framework y las bibliotecas utilizadas, ya que versiones antiguas podrían ser la causa de inconvenientes en la ejecución y los resultados obtenidos. Al hacer estas prácticas, es posible mantener la efectividad de las pruebas automatizadas.

One of the reason I can also foresee that is flakiness in Test to have inconsistent Test results. Flakiness in Tests: Sometimes, tests can fail due to factors outside the application, such as network issues or system load. To address this, you can: Retry failed tests: Implement a retry mechanism for failed tests to see if they pass on subsequent attempts, indicating flakiness. Use wait conditions: Ensure that your tests wait for elements or conditions to be present before interacting with them to avoid timing-related issues.

In my opinion, one can consider following points to mitigate inconsistent or unclear test results in test automation: 1. Review Test Cases: Ensure clarity and correctness in test cases; update outdated steps. 2. Framework and Tool Updates: Keep the automation framework and tools up to date to prevent compatibility issues. 3. Data Management: Validate and update test data to avoid inconsistencies and inaccuracies. 4. Logging and Reporting: Enhance logging and reporting for detailed insights into test execution. 5. Standardize Environments: Maintain consistent test environments to minimize result variability.

In addition to reviewing and refactoring automation scripts, I consider it crucial to implement a consistent code peer-review practice. Cross-review among team members not only enhances code quality but also facilitates understanding and issue resolution. Furthermore, I emphasize the importance of commenting on the code to ensure clarity and comprehensibility for all team members. Another critical aspect is the early implementation of add-ons related to reports and KPIs. These tools provide a clear and detailed snapshot of test results, aiding performance assessment and enabling timely intervention in case of issues.

To improve consistency and reduce flakiness follow these four points: 1. Adopt Metrics. Store your test results and graph the history of your executions. Visualice how your bugs appear, where they appear and create a bug density per module diagram. 2. Traceability. Make sure all your automated tests are linked to your Test Management Tool and Jira. This is top priority to understand what, why and how your script should work. 3. Confirm Business Logic. Make sure what you are testing is what you should be testing and put it on a paper that everyone can refer to. BDD and TDD approaches are always good partners in this journey. 4. Use linters, code standards, PR Templates and pair programing sessions to improve the quality of your automation.

The best approach is to identify highly impacted automation coverage gaps that require less effort. Take good care of the automation suite. With frequent requirement changes some tests, assertions and user criteria may need updates to ensure your automation suite aligns with these changes. Conduct a monthly or quarterly review with the team to identify gaps in test coverage. Collaborate with development and QA teams to divide the modules and enhance test coverage.

In my opinion, one can consider following points to address low test coverage or high maintenance in automation: 1. Evaluate Test Coverage: Identify gaps in coverage by reviewing test scenarios and adding missing cases. 2. Prioritize Critical Paths: Focus on automating critical paths to maximize coverage and prioritize high-impact areas. 3. Implement Modularity: Break down complex test scripts into modular components for easier maintenance.

3 Tips: 1. Data Driven Mentality. If it's not measured cannot be improved. First thing you need to have is DATA, you can start by collecting: - Bugs per module - Execution Time - Code Coverage - Test Coverage - False positives/negatives Just to mention few. Data is essential if you pretend to continuously improve your automation solution. 2. Think about Return of Investment. If it is not needed don't build it. Focus on automating what really adds value to your team, this is really important to have a consistent and compact automated test suite. Remember the less the better, few test cases means less cost of maintainability and less wasted time. 3. Prioritize. Make sure the core modules of your app are 100% covered and stable

Os casos de testes, ou roteiro, devem ser atualizados constantemente, na medida em que o software evolui. Tornar isso uma boa prática é essencial para possuir uma cobertura de testes aceitável e evitar retrabalhos.

A clear indicator that software testing automation may not be up to date is reflected in low test coverage or high maintenance efforts. If the automation suite fails to cover a significant portion of the application's functionality, there's a risk of overlooking critical scenarios. Additionally, a high maintenance burden, characterized by frequent script failures or the need for constant updates to keep pace with application changes, suggests outdated automation. Regularly assessing test coverage metrics and monitoring maintenance efforts can provide insights into the effectiveness and relevance of the automation, enabling teams to identify areas for improvement and ensure that their testing processes remain current and efficient.

Good question :), I would say we can check if our testing automation integrates seamlessly with the development tools and platforms currently in use.

Instead of changing technologies, it's more effective to troubleshoot the real root cause of slow or unstable test execution. Possible reasons for slowness include ineffective tool utilization, improper handling of caching issues, server-related network problems, or inadequate distribution of tests. Unstability may arise from environmental issues, outdated tests, or dependency problems.

Regularly seek feedback from your testing team and stakeholders to ensure your test automation stays current. Encourage open communication to identify any pain points, assess the relevance of automated tests, and address evolving testing needs.

In my opinion, one can consider following points to address slow or unstable test execution in automation: 1. Optimize Test Scripts: Refactor and optimize test scripts for better performance, removing redundancies. 2. Parallel Execution: Implement parallel execution to speed up test runs and enhance efficiency. 3. Review Wait Times: Analyze and adjust wait times in test scripts to prevent unnecessary delays. 4. Update Automation Tools: Ensure automation tools are up to date to leverage performance improvements. 5. Optimize Test Environments: Streamline test environments to ensure stability and reproducibility. 6. Regular Maintenance: Conduct regular maintenance to address outdated dependencies and configurations.

One thing for me to add here is, how optimised your automation scripts are, depends on the size of the project and how the scripts are written. If it is quite big, a badly written automation code can make it slow and unstable. Because, just like in software development, how you write your code for optimised performance, determines how to make your code optimised to run faster and stable.

Regular feedback is essential in the software industry, as rapid changes occur with new innovations and processes. As a member of the automation team, it is important to stay abreast of market trends, learn new best practices, and assess their potential applicability to our projects. While not every new change may align with our project, it is crucial to continuously assess the pain points within our framework and observe how the QA community is addressing these with the latest practices. This ongoing research is vital for staying updated in the dynamic field of IT.

1. Collaboration Platforms: Utilize collaboration platforms for team discussions, issue tracking, and knowledge sharing. 2. Cross-Functional Training: Provide cross-functional training to foster collaboration between development and testing teams. 3. Feedback Loops: Establish feedback loops to encourage continuous improvement and address concerns promptly.

As QA engineers, one of our primary goals is to provide transparent, continuous feedback to guide development efforts and collaboratively build reliable software. When teams aren't actively engaging with test automation outputs, it signals a breakdown in this critical collaboration. There are a few root causes I'd reflect on. First, are test results delivered through formats and forums that stakeholders easily understand and access? I'd aim to provide visual, intuitive reporting integrated with existing project management systems rather than siloed documents. Additionally, I'd assess whether test coverage truly aligns with current product priorities based on direct engagement with PMs, devs and customers.

Feedback: Does your automation lack mechanisms to integrate seamlessly with your development and reporting tools, leading to communication silos? Poor feedback loops hinder collaboration and knowledge sharing. Collaboration: Does your test automation feel isolated, failing to provide insights to developers or stakeholders? Lack of collaboration limits its impact and value.

The presence or absence of constructive feedback loops and collaborative processes must be scrutinized as part of evaluating the efficacy of testing automation. A dearth of feedback or collaborative mechanisms may impede the iterative refinement of automation practices, necessitating the establishment of robust communication channels.

Remember, outdated automation is not just an inconvenience, it's a risk to quality and efficiency. By recognizing these warning signs and taking proactive measures, you can revitalize your automation, ensuring it remains a powerful ally in your quest for software excellence.

Additionally, factors such as adherence to industry best practices, incorporation of emerging testing methodologies, and alignment with evolving business requirements should be contemplated to holistically ascertain the contemporary relevance of the testing automation framework. Regular audits, continuous integration practices, and staying abreast of technological advancements constitute integral facets of a proactive approach to ensuring the perpetual modernity of software testing automation.

Embracing mutation testing as an integral part of the quality assurance strategy, these tests, by introducing mutations into the source code, unveil the robustness of existing test cases and pinpoint areas of vulnerability. I firmly believe in the comprehensive implementation of mutation testing to enhance not only confidence in delivery but also the code's resilience in the face of changes

Having an automation suite comes with a responsibility of knowing "When to add, when to modify and when to delete cases". Then comes the "What to add, where to add and how to". It is very crucial to actually have a good way of tracking "what all cases and scenarios are automated already" so that even a resource who's not very familiar with the suite, but proficient with the tool can get going on the right foot.

Hello everyone, first of all, the opening article reads to me (at least in parts) somewhat "chatbot generated." Anyway, I want to refer to point 3, especially this passage: "This can happen if you do not follow a test automation strategy that is tailored to your software requirements, goals, and priorities, or if you automate the wrong tests or too many tests." Developing a meaningful test case costs a certain amount of effort, even without implementing test automation. For test automation, there is the additional effort of implementation. In some projects, I have experienced that especially managers who are inexperienced or come from non-IT areas, believe that tests should be automated in general.