Introduction

[Rob Virdee] Hi, I’m Rob Virdee, Senior Manager, Professional Services at QA Consultants. I’ve been with the company for over three years. Today, we’ll explore the different aspects of test automation, its tools, applications, and the future of the field.

Different Types of Test Automation

Test automation includes:

• GUI Test Automation
• API Test Automation
• Performance Test Automation

Skills Required for Test Automation

Test automation skills fall into two streams:

• Technical Stream: Requires a development background to build frameworks and work with programming languages like Java, C++, etc.
• Non-Technical Stream: Manual testers use front-end tools (e.g., keyword-driven or Gherkin interfaces) to interact with test automation systems.

Popular Tools in Test Automation

• Open Source Tools: Selenium (with Java, JavaScript, C#, etc.)
• Commercial Tools: Micro Focus, IBM Rational, and Worksoft Certify.

Tools for Different Testing Purposes

• API Testing: SoapUI, Parasoft Soatest.
• GUI Testing: Selenium, IBM RFT, HP UFT.
• SAP Testing: Worksoft Certify.

Test Automation in Waterfall SDLC

• Applied later in the project during the testing phase.
• Requires a stable GUI, aligning with the sequential nature of the Waterfall model.

Test Automation in Agile SDLC

• Begins at the project start, though test automation may lag by a sprint or two.
• Focuses on creating regression test sets to align with Agile iterations.

Integrating Test Automation with Project Management and DevOps

• Project Management Tools:
  • Commercial tools like Micro Focus ALM offer seamless integration.
  • Tools like JIRA integrate with Zephyr or TestRail, though not as cleanly as ALM.
• DevOps and Continuous Integration:
  • Automated regression tests are integrated with CI tools for execution on schedules.

Metrics to Measure Test Automation

Key metrics include:

• Test Coverage: The extent of functionality covered by test automation.
• Throughput: Test creation and execution rates.
• Defect Rate: The number of defects identified during automated testing.

Extending Test Automation Utility

• Test automation can assist with:
• Test Setup: Preparing the environment for tests.
• Test Data Setup: Creating the required test data for execution.

Future of Test Automation

• Visual Interfaces: Easier creation and execution of automated test cases.
• Artificial Intelligence: Assisting in test creation and execution for greater efficiency.

Skills for the Future of Testing

To prepare for the future:

• Technical Skills: Learn programming languages (e.g., Selenium, UFT). • Non-Technical Skills: Develop familiarity with test automation tools through interfaces to remain productive.