Why Automated Testing is Like Smart Investing

3 Money Lessons from The Psychology of Money

What do financial success and automated testing have in common? More than you’d think! ?The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel teaches that patience, discipline, and systematic processes often outweigh intelligence in achieving long-term success. The same principle applies when using automated testing frameworks like Playwright and Capybara.

One key feature that embodies this philosophy? Automatic Waiting. Just as a disciplined investor trusts the market over time, robust test automation relies on built-in waiting mechanisms rather than forcing immediate actions.

Here’s how:

1. Trust the Process Over Quick Fixes

Housel warns against making short-term decisions based on market volatility. The same applies to test automation. Instead of forcing rigid waits or manual delays, Playwright and Capybara use automatic waiting to handle dynamic elements smoothly. This reduces test flakiness—just like patient investors avoid unnecessary risks by letting compounding work its magic.

2. Reduce Reactivity to Unnecessary Noise

In investing, emotional reactions to short-term market swings often lead to poor decisions. In testing, reacting to every minor failure—caused by race conditions or timing issues—creates unreliable scripts. Automatic waiting ensures tests remain stable without excessive retries or unnecessary code modifications. The result? A calm, rational approach that avoids wasted effort.

3. Systems and Discipline Win Over Micromanagement

One of Housel’s core lessons is that systematic, disciplined investing beats constant micromanagement. The same holds true in test automation: frameworks with structured waiting processes allow developers to focus on writing solid tests instead of manually managing every execution detail. Just like a sound investment strategy, trusting the system leads to consistent, long-term success.

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Let the System Work for You

Automated testing frameworks that incorporate automatic waiting act like patient investors—ensuring stability by reducing unnecessary failures. Housel’s wisdom applies here: endurance, discipline, and trusting the process lead to success, whether in financial markets or in software testing.

So, the next time you're running tests, remember: good things come to those who wait (automatically).