Myth - Automation testing is more expensive than manual testing

Iridium's QA practice lead, Martin Sutcliffe , explains how the initial outlay of automation testing can become an investment - not an expense.?

"Initially, setting up automation may seem pricey as it often requires a significant initial investment in terms of time, resources, and training. According to a report by Gartner, the initial investment for QA automation tools and infrastructure can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the size and complexity of the project*.?

There are also ongoing costs which need to be considered. Forrester Research indicates that maintenance costs can be substantial, sometimes exceeding 50% of the total automation costs. This includes the efforts needed to update scripts due to changes in the application under test**. However, these costs do not outweigh the significant long-term gains that kick in such as faster execution, repeated tests, and reduced human error. Indeed, where manual testing's cost escalates with project growth, there is easy scalability with automated testing.?

Balance is key. Strategic automation pays off over time, saving costs and boosting efficiency, but it is vital that you are realistic about the benefits. Overestimating the capabilities of the chosen framework can lead to unattainable expectations and disappointment. It is important to clearly define the capabilities and limitations of the automation framework and set realistic goals and expectations to avoid project setbacks and maintain team morale. By knowing what you can - and will - achieve, the initial outlay becomes an investment, not an expense."

Sources:?

*Gartner, "Magic Quadrant for Software Test Automation," 2021.?

**Forrester Research, "The Total Economic Impact? of Tricentis Tosca," 2020?

Read more about the myths and realities around automated testing here: https://www.ir77.co.uk/blog/automation-automation-automation/