In-Sprint Automation and Its Challenges
It is 100% correct to say that all industries must execute the trending technologies to stay a part of this ever-evolving and competitive world. When we talk about the IT industry, the technology revolution is a bit more fast-paced than others. Today, we have come to a point where the products/processes need to be ready for launch as soon as possible. No matter what it takes, one must do smart work instead of hard work to achieve efficiency and speed goals. Specifically talking about the Software #qa process, they have been evolving like no other. From the traditional waterfall model, where the testing used to take place after development, to the agile model and then #devops . Then, there comes the concept of In-sprint automation. In-sprint automation is a testing process where the entire testing process performs under one sprint. It includes test cases, planning, creation, and execution in a single sprint. Implementing In-sprint automation has many benefits. It provides timely rectification of bugs, the faster roll-out of software to end users, and improves the quality of features in each sprint.
However, the processes which give efficient results are mostly strenuous in execution. In the same way, challenges are there to implementing In-sprint automation:
1. End moment modifications:
In sprint automation generally works on pre-defined user stories. It describes the customer-relevant functionality. It frequently happens that the product owner modifies the user story at any given time, resulting in altering/redesigning the entire testing process. It sometimes affects the scope of automation.
Solution:
Testers must share as much information as possible about the executed tests and the features that are not tested flawlessly by the end of the sprint. It will keep the transparency, and the application quality won’t get affected.
2. Half-known user stories:
In the agile model, the product owner creates the user story. The owner always doesn’t know the thorough features of applications. Due to this, developers develop the prototype first based on which the testers create test cases. It is tough to design efficient test cases with only the prototypes. It also results in the wrong estimation of testing because it is not always feasible to estimate the exact time for testing when the understanding of features is not clear.
Solution:
We can begin the #testing by examining the high-class scenarios that will test the idea of the user story. Even if any small changes come, the context will remain the same.
3. Repeated regression cycles:
#regression testing is one of the biggest challenges in the #agile model, as new features or modifications to existing features will keep coming. Along with testing new features, the automation team needs to keep an eye on the working of previously tested functionalities. Testers have to use regression testing to verify the tests. However, manual regression testing is not reliable. Also, modern time applications are not compatible with every device and browser.
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Solution:
In this case, In-sprint automation comes into the picture for the efficient problem-solver. We can use tools like #jmeter or #selenium Grid to check that everything is working smoothly after code modification.
4. To be on the "Same page":
It is hard to be on "the same page" when we work together. The developer may think his job is complete once he pushes the code. The designer may think it is complete, once the UI is approved, and the tester may believe that he is fine once he tests the application. But the job is finished only when the application is bug-free, highly efficient, and user-friendly. So the definition of being done is different for everyone. It is very essential to believe that the success of an application is the main motive of the team, not just completing the individual tasks.
Solution:
It is crucial to document the clear goals before starting the work. Everyone must take the responsibility of overall success/failure of the sprint.
5.Choosing the Right Automation Tool:
A reliable automation tool is crucial to implement In-sprint automation successfully. Choosing the best automation tool is the most challenging task as there are many options available.
Solution:
The most important criteria of choosing the automation framework is, it must be easy to understand. It should also allow writing automated tests without accessing the #ui of the application. Last but not the least, it must offer UI and API testing for all the domains - Web, Mobile and Native apps.
Even adapting a new habit is not easy so how would adapting a new process will be. There will be many challenges in the way to execute In-sprint automation, but the benefits of completing the automation in single sprint will worth the efforts.