Your quick guide to test automation: what can go wrong?

Well, when planning to implement test automation within an ERP system, a lot of things can go wrong. All you have to do is accept the fact that things often don't go perfectly. But risks can be avoided if you prepare for potential situations and know how to handle them.??

Here’s a quick look at what can go wrong when implementing test automation & how you can mitigate these risks in advance.?

1. Insufficient initial planning?

What can go wrong: Without a clear plan, your automation efforts can lack direction, leading to "scope creep", missed deadlines, and incomplete test coverage. Besides, you can end up with wasted time, effort, and resources, as well as frustration among team members and stakeholders.?

What can be done: Define clear objectives, scope, and success criteria for your automation project. Conduct a thorough assessment of the ERP system’s complexity and document all requirements. Understand the critical business processes that need to be automated.?

?Action: Create a detailed project plan with milestones, responsibilities, and timelines. Involve all relevant stakeholders in the planning phase to ensure alignment. Regularly review and update the plan to address any changes or new insights.?

2. The wrong tool?

What can go wrong: Choosing the wrong tools can result in compatibility issues, integration problems, and inefficiencies, ultimately wasting time and resources.??

Note: The wrong tool isn't necessarily bad; it just doesn't fit your company's specific needs. For example, the wrong tool might not support the specific features of your ERP system, or it may be too complex/simplistic for your needs.?

What can be done: Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of available tools, considering factors such as compatibility with your ERP system, integration capabilities, and ease of use. Evaluate both open-source and commercial tools.?

? Action: Perform proof-of-concept tests with shortlisted tools to ensure they meet your needs. Involve your technical team in the selection process to gain their insights and buy-in. Consider the tool’s vendor support as well.?

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3. Lack of skilled personnel?

What can go wrong: Without skilled testers, your team may struggle to create and maintain automated tests, leading to errors and inefficiencies. Additionally, the process of creating automated test cases should include relevant business users familiar with the system. The lack of such involvement can result in poorly designed tests that fail to catch defects or scripts that are prone to breaking.?

What can be done: Ensure your team has the necessary skills and experience in test automation tools and methodologies. This includes knowledge of scripting languages, understanding of automation frameworks, and familiarity with the ERP system.?

? Action: Invest in training and upskilling your existing team members. Consider hiring or consulting with automation experts to bridge any skill gaps.??

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4. Inadequate test coverage?

What can go wrong: Focusing too much on automated tests can result in missed critical business processes and scenarios, leading to undetected defects. This is especially problematic in complex ERP systems where interdependencies and workflows are intricate.?

What can be done: Balance automated and manual testing to ensure comprehensive test coverage. Recognize that not all tests are suitable for automation, especially those that require human intervention.?

? Action: Identify and prioritize key business processes for automation. Regularly review and update test cases to cover new features and changes in the ERP system. Use risk-based testing to focus on areas with the highest impact on the business.?

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5. Maintenance challenges?

What can go wrong: Automated test scripts can quickly become outdated as the ERP system evolves, leading to increased maintenance efforts and reduced test accuracy. If not maintained, these scripts may fail, providing false positives or negatives.?

What can be done: Implement a robust maintenance strategy for your automated tests. Plan for maintenance as a continuous activity rather than a one-time task.?

? Action: Schedule regular reviews and updates of test scripts. Use modular and reusable test scripts to minimize maintenance efforts. Assign dedicated resources for test maintenance.?

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6. Poor test data management?

What can go wrong: Using outdated or insufficient test data can lead to inaccurate test results and missed defects. Inconsistent or insecure test data management practices can also lead to data breaches or compliance issues.?

What can be done: Establish a strategy for managing and maintaining test data. Ensure the test data is relevant, accurate, and up-to-date.?

? Action: Create and maintain a comprehensive test data repository. Ensure test data is regularly updated and anonymized to protect sensitive information. Use data-driven testing techniques to improve test coverage and accuracy. Implement policies and tools for test data management to maintain consistency and security.?

7. Lack of stakeholder buy-in?

What can go wrong: Without support from key stakeholders, you may face resistance and lack the necessary resources and commitment to succeed. Stakeholders might not see the value in automation if they are not adequately informed.?

What can be done: Communicate the benefits and progress of your automation efforts to stakeholders. Make sure they understand how automation will improve the quality and efficiency of testing.?

? Action: Involve stakeholders early in the planning phase. Provide regular updates on progress and successes. Address concerns and demonstrate the value of automation through tangible results. Use metrics and reports to show improvements in testing efficiency and effectiveness.?

And that’s not all. While test automation may seem daunting, it can be simplified, made painless, and fully controllable, benefiting your business's future—if you choose the right approach.??

To dive deeper into test automation, check out our comprehensive step-by-step guide on automating testing in Microsoft Dynamics 365 .?

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