Does Manual Re-gression Testing Still Matter Now?

As the software landscape evolves rapidly, QA experts and coders engage in a heated debate about whether to rely on manual or automated regression tests.?

With the advent of advanced automation tools, adding and updating automated tests has become more streamlined and efficient.

But the question remains: is it time to bid farewell to manual regression tests, or do they still hold a significant role in our testing strategies?

TL;DR: Yes!

Automated Testing's Rise

Automated testing has revolutionized the industry, offering a host of key benefits that have made it an indispensable part of software development:

1. Speed and Efficiency: Automated tests run faster than manual ones. Tests enables quicker releases and feedback loops, helpful for agile and CI/CD.
2. Accuracy and Consistency: Unlike error-prone manual tests, automated tests give reliable results every run.
3. Cost Savings: While initially costly, automated tests ultimately save time and money by reducing repetitive manual testing needs.

Automated tests are very useful. They can run many tests without issues. They are great for oversized test suites.

When to Do Manual Testing

But manual tests are still needed sometimes:

• When it's not feasible to test integrations.
• User interfaces, for instance, often require the nuanced judgment of a human tester.?

Right Mix

1. Streamline Repeated Tasks: Prioritize automating repetitive, time-consuming tests like regression and smoke tests. This approach liberates manual testers to delve into complex, exploratory testing.
2. Leverage Automation's Breadth: Utilize automated tests to achieve extensive coverage across diverse configurations and platforms. Ensure consistent application behavior across different environments.
3. Complement Through Manual Expertise: Strategically employ manual testing where human insight proves invaluable, like usability, accessibility, and exploratory analyses.
4. Iterate and Enhance: Continually review and refine your testing strategy based on feedback and evolving project requirements. Automation tools and frameworks consistently improve, presenting new opportunities to optimize testing processes.

Wrap-Up

Automated testing's simplicity and efficiency have reduced the need for manual regression testing.

We only rely on manual Feature Assurance, which Product Managers should do.?

Also, having?a?dedicated QA team becomes redundant and slows down development.