How can you identify test cases that need refactoring for automation?

Automation enhances testing efficiency; refactoring test cases improves manageability and reduces maintenance. Smaller, well-structured test cases ease debugging and enhance error identification. Comprehensive coverage of scenarios and removal of redundant tests result from refactoring. Regularly refactored test cases contribute to a stable and reliable automation framework.

To identify test cases for automation refactoring, look for repetitive or redundant steps, complex scenarios, and inconsistent data inputs. Test cases with high maintenance overhead, unclear flow, or excessive dependencies should be considered. Additionally, prioritize scenarios with frequent code changes. Refactor by modularizing code, improving readability, and ensuring efficient data management. Regularly review and update automated tests to maintain relevance and effectiveness in the evolving software landscape.

Refactoring test cases is a must - Helps reducing testing efforts - Tests are conducted for diverse scenarios - Identifying the loop holes

Way to find test cases - Too long - More than one action covered or more than one out come of a single step need to be refactored -Test case is similar to another -Test case did not appear at all or non producible

About the 'frequency and importance of the test case', from my experience, I always refer back to the test tracking tools/docs, like RTMs or TTMs. Furthermore, any documents that can help with the automation design and test approach. Once, you figure out the test scope, then the priority will become a little clearer. That is why it always helps to create an Automation Design Doc. from the start, I keep all these notes and design docs on confluence (and bookmarked!). For example, I use Singleton Style Simulators across the Automation, and changes to that might affect multiple tests, which isn't always clear at first. So, if I need some test refactoring, I refer to the Automation design and Test traceability docs.

Consider keeping your Automation code to the same standards as the code for the System Under Test. - One great example is enabling sonarQube Analysis for your automation project. I enabled that on my automation since 2021, and am very pleased with the results. - Another example would be Code Reviews. (we always include a senior Dev member, and it helps -a lot!)

Work on scenarios like data input validation , and parametrization. Refactoring is required if there is a change in process or the environment.